Parkview Health Launches Specialty Pharmacy Program
To better support patients who require complex medication therapies, Parkview Health has launched a Specialty Pharmacy program, which will integrate pharmacists and pharmacy liaisons directly into patient care teams.
Patients with chronic and complex conditions require specialty medications and often need additional support to adhere to their therapy regimen and manage side effects. Additionally, monthly out-of-pocket costs for specialty medications can reach thousands of dollars, making it challenging for many patients to afford treatment.
The Specialty Pharmacy addresses those challenges by integrating pharmacists and pharmacy liaisons into select clinic-based care teams. This will ensure more patients are able to afford their medication and follow their treatment plans, creating better health outcomes.
“The Specialty Pharmacy service will further Parkview Health’s vision to tailor personalized health journeys for patients,” said Thomas Bond, MD, chief medical officer, Parkview Physicians Group. “Compared to remote, third-party services, clinic-based programs are shown to significantly improve care and outcomes. By embedding pharmacists and pharmacy liaisons directly into our clinics, we’re providing a localized, high-touch experience and creating truly patient-centered care.”
Through the Specialty Pharmacy program, patients will receive in-person medication education and ongoing support from Fort Wayne-based pharmacists who have advanced clinical training and board certifications. The pharmacists will also collaborate directly with providers to develop and manage treatment plans.
Additionally, embedded pharmacy liaisons will handle financial assistance applications, insurance authorizations, medication refills and more, reducing the administrative burden specialty medications may create for patients and providers.
“We created the Specialty Pharmacy program because we know patients who use specialty medications need far more than a place to fill their prescriptions. They need a team that will help ease the physical, mental and financial burden of managing their medical condition,” said Chris Jellison, corporate director of pharmacy, Parkview Health. “This team streamlines the patient experience and helps ensure they can follow the treatment plans laid out by their providers.”
The Parkview Health Specialty Pharmacy has launched in the infectious disease and rheumatology clinics. The program will be expanded to other clinics this fall.
