Enabling Community Pharmacies to Succeed

Key Points

• Health Mart helps community pharmacies navigate ongoing changes in care delivery and access through digital tools, education and advocacy.
• Health Mart is the nation’s fastest-growing independent pharmacy franchise with approximately 4,000 locations.
• Digital pharmacy tools help community pharmacies deliver convenient, omnichannel care experiences for patients.
• Education, training and policy advocacy support pharmacists’ expanding role as care providers in their communities.

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Pharmacists play a critical role in providing care within our communities. In fact, nine out of ten Americans have access to a brick-and-mortar pharmacy – and with the rise of digital healthcare solutions, they also now have access right from their smartphones.

Today’s patients want a customized healthcare experience that meets their needs, even if they can’t meet face-to-face with their local pharmacist or technician. As a result, many independent pharmacies are rapidly reinventing their virtual and in-person care models.

That’s where Health Mart steps in.

Part of McKesson, Health Mart is the nation’s fastest-growing independent pharmacy franchise, with approximately 4,000 locations. For pharmacies that opt into the franchise, the program provides access to innovative solutions and tools that help them improve pharmacy operations and clinical performance to better meet patients’ needs.

Health Mart pharmacies have access to tools that enable them to:

• Administer vaccines and point of care tests
• Help customers understand their prescription-drug coverage
• Support safe management of multiple medications
• Identify lower-cost medication options

“The industry is in a unique space to embrace positive change,” said Nancy Lyons, vice president and chief pharmacist for Health Mart. “We believe Health Mart is uniquely poised to help independent pharmacies and pharmacists advance patient care and overcome any challenges in today’s evolving landscape.”

Digital Offerings for the Modern Patient

Patients expect a digital front door into health-related services at their local pharmacy, seeking experiences that are omnichannel, convenient and consistent with the rest of their daily lives.

To meet this demand, Health Mart launched Health Mart Digital Pharmacy.

This new suite of digital services is designed to make life easier for both community pharmacies and patients. The portfolio includes:

• A consumer web portal
• A mobile application
• A multichannel online platform

The easy-to-navigate Health Mart Pro Mobile App also helps patients manage their medications, submit refill requests and communicate with their pharmacy through two-way messaging.

“Quick, reliable communication is an opportunity for us to help patients stay on their medication,” says Jose Lugo, director, product development for Health Mart. “The digital tools we’re rolling out for Health Mart pharmacies today will meaningfully impact patient care in the long term.”

Encouraging Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to ‘Never Stop Learning’

Most Health Mart pharmacies increased their point-of-care testing services during COVID-19. Even before the pandemic, however, demand for preventative care services —  such as health screenings and immunizations — were rising.

To meet these expectations, pharmacists must stay current with their education and trainings so they can administer vaccines, boosters, flu shots other services.

“With an increase in health care challenges in recent years, Health Mart pharmacies remain an integral part of a patient’s care team,” Lyons said. “More than half of our pharmacies (60%) are in care deserts or areas where access to any quality health care provider is scarce.”

This position enables pharmacies to meet the unique needs of underserved and marginalized communities through screening, testing, vaccine administration and additional patient care services.

That’s why Health Mart partnered with pharmacy education expert CEImpact to create Health Mart University, am education platform tailored to the needs and schedules of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Health Mart University offers:

• More than 100 online courses covering clinical and operational knowledge
• Standard compliance courses such as Bloodborne Pathogens, HIPAA, Medicare Parts C and D and Compliance
• Continuing Education courses to help pharmacists and technicians maintain licenses and credentials

Additionally, through McKesson ideaShare, an annual event for independent pharmacists, continuing education courses are available in-person during the event and on-demand after the event.

Establishing Pharmacies as Care Centers

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy services became vital as the U.S. government expanded pharmacists’ authority to test and immunize. Pharmacists responded by administering more than 247 million vaccines nationwide.

Despite this expanded role, pharmacy services are not reimbursed in the same way as other healthcare providers’ services. When the public health emergency (PHE) declaration ends, pharmacists may no longer be able to deliver the services that patients have come to rely on during the pandemic — particularly in rural and medically underserved areas.

That’s why McKesson is a founding partner of the Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition, a group of American healthcare companies and professional associations advocating for federal policy solutions that:

• Recognize pharmacists’ role as care providers
• Support a more equitable and accessible healthcare system

Looking Ahead

“As an impact-driven organization, we’re focused on transforming our approach to be the right partner, advocate and voice for Health Mart pharmacies,” said Eyad Farah, president, Health Mart & Health Mart Atlas. “Whether the goal is digital performance, education, or patient advocacy, Health Mart is committed to strengthening the overall health of pharmacies and elevating their role in communities.”