2021 Pharmacy Outlook: The Vendors Speak

Jennifer, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"When the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread across the U.S., many independent pharmacies turned to social media to maintain the strong connections they have with their community. I believe this type of engagement will continue to be a necessity in the new normal, as patients have come to expect authentic, “always-on” experiences from the businesses they support, even when business is far from usual. Innovative technology that streamlines and amplifies how pharmacies attract, engage and retain their patients will be crucial as we move forward into new territory.

At Good Neighbor Pharmacy, we had already made those investments in a sophisticated social media management platform and text messaging services, so our members were able to adapt quickly to the pandemic and stay in constant contact with their community. We plan to continue developing and expanding our digital marketing solutions in 2021 to ensure independent pharmacies everywhere can keep delivering that extremely high-level of personalized care for which they are known no matter what challenges lie ahead."

Kevin, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"The ability to harness all technology offered by your vendor currently, which most are not doing, and synchronize the use of it with employees as well as customers. The goal is to streamline all processes, and eliminate as many of the manual process currently being done. Free up time to find new profit centers, spend time with customers, and build relationships with local doctors and facilities."

Amber, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"IND Consulting's focus in 2021 will continue to be helping our pharmacies manage their backend workflow allowing them to be more efficient and to focus on their patients and facilities. Our array of services can be tailored to each pharmacy’s needs. We offer data entry, onboarding new business, adjudication, Pharmacist on Demand Services, PODS On Call (back-up pharmacy services) and IT support and solutions that is specific to pharmacies."

In just three or four words, what do you see making the biggest impact on pharmacy in 2021?

Infection prevention.

What can add value to the pharmacy/pharmacy system?

Continuing to build public trust and habits to use the local pharmacy as a healthcare resource, beyond just filling scripts.

Phil, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"The reimbursement environment for pharmacies today really only leaves two alternatives. Either the Insurers and PBM will recognize the contribution of pharmacist and reimburse them for their professional services, (doubtful) or the pharmacy industry will seek out technology solutions to stem the power of the PBM's. These solutions include new services and prescription provider services that circumvent the PBM's, analytics providers that assist with purchasing and product selection and direct physician dispensing within a fixed formulary."

Keith, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"Pharmacies must be Flexible to change with the market."

Marsha, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"The past year has brought many trials, changes, and opportunities to pharmacies and supporting businesses like ours. These challenges have reinforced our mission to Save + Revitalize Independent Pharmacy. As the healthcare landscape evolves, we are quickly identifying and creating solutions that will empower pharmacies to offer enhanced services without a lapse in patient care. We believe that with more pharmacies aligned with our mission, we can provide independent pharmacies the technology toolset and purchasing power to completely transform their position in healthcare.

As pharmacists are being recognized as health care providers, their opportunity for offering enhanced clinical services expands. Community pharmacies have played a monumental role during the pandemic by offering COVID-19 testing to their communities. Before the pandemic, many of our pharmacies were already providing point-of-care testing and immunizations. Our pharmacies are preparing to further flex their clinical muscles in the coming year, utilizing their PioneerRx pharmacy software system to aid in care planning and providing proper documentation for reimbursements. PioneerRx powers some of the most clinically advanced pharmacies offering medication synchronization, adherence packaging, nutrition counseling, compounding, specialty dispensing, and so much more. Patient connectivity through various telemedicine platforms will continue to grow in the next year, which is why we have partnered with MDBox through our RxLocal patient app.

PioneerRx pharmacies using the RxLocal patient app can facilitate telemedicine visits between a patient and a medical professional using RxLocalMD, and then fill medications prescribed during the appointment. With delivery, curbside pickup, and drive-thru pickup integrated within the workflow, patients can safely and conveniently pick up their medications and OTC products. Our pharmacies are transforming patient care far beyond its traditional setting, and it is our goal to continue to create a sustainable future for them. Everyone at PioneerRx is excited for a new year and looking forward to the evolution of the industry that we passionately serve."

Randy and Rich, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"Clinical services will continue to grow as a new source of revenue. Pharmacists know that with reimbursement rates decreasing and other industry pressures, it’s difficult to grow purely by dispensing prescriptions. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted their vital role. Although getting started takes time and attention, community pharmacies are perfectly positioned to add more clinical services, whether patients pay through insurance or out of pocket.

QS/1’s partnership with OmniSYS®, the first initiative of our new RedSail Advantage program, enables our customers to much more easily start or expand clinical services. Most clinical service opportunities fall under medical coverage, so pharmacies need a partner who will navigate the complexities and provide claim reimbursements faster than ever. No matter where pharmacies are with their clinical services, QS/1 can help them bill for items covered under the medical benefit and optimize reimbursement for immunizations, clinical services, DME, and specialty drugs."

Brad, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"Pharmacies must continue to increase their focus on improving patient outcomes. One area that can help achieve this and add substantially to the bottom line is creating a nutrient-depletion therapy recommendation program. Helping patients overcome drug-induced nutrient depletion improves compliance by reducing the side effects that can result in the patient altering their dosage or stopping their medication completely. Pharmacies must take a holistic approach to patient care in 2021 and beyond."

Bill, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"We believe the COVID pandemic will have far-reaching impacts on the future of pharmacy, significantly accelerating marketplace trends that are already in motion. For pharmacy in the COVID Era:

• The fear of virus transmission will persist.
  
• Retail customers want touchless service, packaging, delivery & payment.
  
• This requires new pharmacy operating procedures and sensitivity to these concerns.
  
• Traditional vial filling inherently has many touch points during filling & consumption.
  
• DivvyDose, PillPack, and others are setting the standard... pharmacy chains will follow.

In short, 2020 marks the “death knell” for vial filling. Ignore at your peril."

What does ScriptPro see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"ScriptPro will continue to expand both its automation and clinical software offerings in 2021. As always, our new initiatives focus on synthesizing pharmacy financials, operations, and clinical practice. Specifically, ScriptPro’s Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Services (APCS) will continue to expand its footprint in the specialty pharmacy space, as well as release new, and enhance existing, programs that any pharmacy can deploy to improve both operational efficiency and health outcomes.

APCS can already help pharmacies manage patients across a multitude of disease states and will further develop tools for benefits investigation and prior authorization, clinical interventions, patient tracking throughout the course of therapy, and reporting on health outcomes. Through seamless integration between ScriptPro’s Pharmacy Management System and APCS, these solutions can help any pharmacy make an enormous impact on their patients, while managing a top-level operational practice."

Chuck, what can add value to the pharmacy/pharmacy system?

"Patient engagement and tracking."

Beth, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"Pharmacy is moving to become a critical point of contact in the patients' healthcare team as the patient will visit the pharmacy more often than prescribers. Pharmacies adding more services such as clinical care and immunizations will help in recognizing this industry a vital to the patients' healthcare team."

Kenton, what do you see as the next big thing for pharmacy?

"In the coming year, independent pharmacies will continue to do what they have always done, which is adapt to the needs of their community. For VIP Pharmacy Systems, our primary goal is to make sure our team is responsive to the ways our pharmacies needs change faster than ever before. That means matching long term innovations with quick development that puts new features in the hands of our customers when regulations change, new billing and dispensing opportunities become available, or workflow needs to be altered."