Private Pharmacy Compared with Public
Public vs Private Pharmacy in West TN
When you receive a prescription, do you head straight to a big name pharmacy? Whether it is Walgreens, CVS, a supermarket, or some other public pharmacy, this is the go-to for most people. Is that the best option, though? It may be time to consider using a local, private pharmacy. Here, West TN Pharmaceutical Care explains why.
In-store Health Services
Different pharmacies provide different services in-store, and this is one reason why people might assume that a major drugstore is a better option. Walgreens, for instance, offers in-store clinics that administer vaccinations and provide primary care as well as urgent care. CVS also offers medical services, including diabetic screening, blood tests, sleep apnea assessments, and help managing chronic conditions. During the pandemic, big name pharmacies were very helpful in getting people vaccinated against COVID-19, but when you think of a drug store like CVS or Walgreens, you have to ask, “Is the pharmacy a public health service or just publicly traded?”
The truth is that big pharmacies are big business. CVS is the biggest pharmacy chain in the country, with Walgreens coming in second, and each company is worth billions of dollars. However, because they are so enormous, there are certain in-store services more suited to a private pharmacy. A private pharmacy is able to give the kind of customized care that is simply impossible at a big chain store.
Benefits of a Private Pharmacy
Choosing a private pharmacy vs Walgreens or CVS means you work with pharmacists who specialize in offering certain services. Often, private pharmacies provide services like compounding, which are unavailable at busy big-name stores. At West TN Pharmaceutical Care, we offer highly specialized services for assisted living facilities, to help streamline their processes and make medication administration simpler. To that end, we provide:
- Pharmacy services, including over-the-counter medications, refills, health supplies, and first aid items.
- Medication adherence assistance, aimed at taking the stress out of an extensive medication schedule, minimizing barriers to medication adherence.
- Color-coded blister card packaging that makes it easy to tell prescriptions apart, with bar codes easy to scan at the pharmacy.
- Free, prompt delivery to assisted and supported living facilities, to prevent lapses in medication.
- Electronic medication administration records that allow us to streamline our operations and promote efficient client care.
What Should You Look For in a Pharmacy?
When choosing a pharmacy, there are certain basic qualities for which to look.
- Access to competent clinical support. Pharmacists should be able to provide focused care beyond dispensing medicine.
- Convenience. Choose a pharmacy that offers delivery and makes it easy to fill and refill prescriptions.
- Transparency regarding costs. A pharmacist should be willing to assist patients in saving money, whenever possible.
- Confidential contact. Confidentiality is extremely important, and patients should feel comfortable asking questions.
- Experience and credibility. Look for a pharmacy that is well-established, with experienced pharmacists and the appropriate accreditation.
The Value of One-on-One Medication Counseling
It is important to find a pharmacy that understands your needs and is capable of meeting them. Medication counseling can be crucial to a patient’s understanding of and adherence to a medication protocol. Research indicates that patient counseling reduces the risk of readmission to the hospital and visits to the emergency room, as well as increasing a patient’s medication adherence.
Choosing an Independent Pharmacy vs Chain Pharmacy
Patients, in general, have far more contact with a pharmacy than with a primary care physician. Independent pharmacies are smaller than the big chains, so they have a better ability to provide personalized care. They are not as focused on their bottom line as corporate pharmacies, so they tend to treat customers more like people, rather than numbers. An independent pharmacy will work harder to understand its customers’ needs and find ways to conveniently meet them, because there is a smaller customer base, and the pharmacists are better able to give personalized attention. Additionally, even though there is a misconception that corporate pharmacies are more efficient than independent pharmacies, that is not the case. Recent research from Consumer Reports determined that independent pharmacies have significantly lower wait times than big name pharmacies, yet provided more one-on-one consultations.
Trust the Team at West TN Pharmaceutical Care
At West TN Pharmaceutical Care, we provide specialized assistance to assisted living facilities, making it easier for their patients to successfully take medication. A closed-door pharmacy specifically serving agencies and facilities, we understand your needs and are here to make medication adherence much more streamlined for those who care for multiple residents. Our team of highly trained pharmacists, with decades of combined experience, is dedicated to bringing Jackson, TN the most reliable healthcare possible. For more information about our services, call 731-595-0487 or contact us through our website.
