In a recent edition, Jackie Maimin, CEO of the ICPA, emphasised the transformative shift from just selling medicine toward comprehensive pharmacy services. Pharmacists, deeply rooted in the communities they serve, have earned unparalleled trust as healthcare providers. This places pharmacists in a position of influence and responsibility to guide patients toward positive lifestyle choices that pave the way for improved health outcomes, writes Ahmed Bayat - COO of The Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA).
The expansion of pharmacy services presents a golden opportunity for community pharmacists to offer primary healthcare and wellness services, while also diversifying revenue streams and lessening the dependence on dwindling dispensing fees.
Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professional, and evidence indicates that patients see their pharmacist between 1.5 and 10 times more frequently than they see primary care physicians. Each interaction presents an opportunity to offer these valuable services that can directly impact their health outcomes and add to your bottom-line.
The value of pharmacy was particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic when pharmacies remained open, often serving as the only points of access to healthcare for the public. Pharmacies also administered over 7 million doses of Covid -19 vaccines, this remarkable achievement showcases the responsiveness and adaptability of pharmacy during a health crisis.
Pharmacists can offer a wide range of screening tests enabling early detection and intervention for several chronic conditions. Additionally, wellness services like dietary advice, weight management, and smoking cessation, fall within the scope of the pharmacist, contributing to holistic patient care.
Health funders are increasingly recognising the importance of utilising pharmacy clinic services to mitigate long-term risks. Programmes such as Vitality Health Check, Multiply, and Bankmed PHA incentivise members to improve their health, encouraging early intervention and positive behaviour change. These reimbursable services represent new income streams for the pharmacy and significant health benefits for the patient. A true win-win situation and pharmacies without clinics are missing out and likely to lose patients who will seek those services elsewhere. To provide an example of potential revenue, one funder has 2,8 million beneficiaries. If each beneficiary has a health check and HIV test, the potential payment to pharmacy is R1.3 billion. According to McKinsey “The wellness market is booming. Consumers intend to keep spending more on products that improve their health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness.”
There is a huge opportunity for pharmacy to embrace this wellness revolution, improve patient health outcomes and ensure long-term sustainability of community pharmacy.
REFERENCES:
- Pharmacists as accessible primary health care providers: Review of the evidence https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5755826/#:~:text=Based%20upon%20our%20review%2C%20the,they%20see%20primary%20care%20physicians
- Council for Medical Schemes https://www.medicalschemes.co.za/regulated-entities/medical-schemes-in-south-africa/
- Council for Medical Schemes, Annual Report 2023 https://www.medicalschemes.co.za/publications/#2009-3696-wpfd-2022-23-annual-report
- https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-next-normal/wellness
