1. FeaTure dealing wiTh sTaTe boards
State Boards of
Pharmacy and
Technology Access
T
by Mark Longley
Whenever pharmacists look to make creative
he owner of a three-store phar-
macy wants to install an auto-
use of new technologies, it is imperative that
mated product machine (APM)
to sustain her small, grocery-
they educate their state boards so the boards
based store, which only does
can thoughtfully consider the impact
about 50 prescriptions a day.
She hopes to deploy the tech-
of the innovation.
nology to provide 24-hour pick-
up for her customers, enabling
impact of the innovation. State n They may rule that by not
her to be on site just a few
boards play a crucial regula- being addressed, it is tacitly
hours each day.
tory role. They are empowered allowed.
A national merchandiser that
by their state legislatures to n They can opt to create a
offers 24-hour shopping sees
develop rules and guidelines specific rule to address the
an APM as a way to affordably
protecting consumers and to technology.
extend access for its pharmacy
clarify, expand upon, and/or I’ve gained valuable experi-
customers.
detail statutes or regulations ence from my interactions with
A hospital outpatient phar-
impacting pharmacy. state boards since my company,
macy hopes to offer an APM
By design, the boards are Parata, acquired the APM tech-
for employees, to serve them
often able to adopt rules in nology in 2006. I’d like to share
more efficiently while they’re
months, rather than the years some of what we’ve learned by
on the job and improve adher-
required to navigate the legis- describing how we addressed
ence with easier access.
lative process. The boards act key questions that we encoun-
Of course, whenever phar-
in one of three ways to clarify tered from boards of pharma-
macists look to make creative
questions not addressed by leg- cy across the country. These
use of new technologies such
islation: insights offer information about
as Parata APM, it is impera-
n They may rule that by the progress of our technology,
tive that they educate their
not being addressed, the and should be useful to anyone
state boards so that the boards
technology is disallowed. who is working to introduce
can thoughtfully consider the
ComputerTalk for the Pharmacist • January/Feburary 2009

2. Based on our answers to their questions, state
boards of pharmacy have responded
in one of three ways with regard to APM:
n Seventeen states allow 24-hour access.
n Fourteen states allow APM access during pharmacy hours,
increasing convenience but not access. In many cases, the states use
this approach to pilot the technology and reserve the right to convert
it to a permanent rule with expanded access after a trial period.
n Finally, three states have rules that are pending with regard to APM
access.
new pharmacy automation oppor- these consumers. This will be par-
tunities. ticularly true for those who choose
mail order primarily because of the
Can an APM deliver the difficulty in visiting the pharmacy
during regular business hours, and
wrong drug?
who will benefit from the 24-hour
Nearly 300,000 prescriptions have access. • Master Certified with SIGIS (TPS)
been distributed via this technology • IIAS Certified for FSA/HRA
Will APM negatively impact
without a single delivery error. This
• FSA Certified Credit Processor
accuracy is ensured by means of
quality of care? • PA-DSS (Payment Application
a barcoded label that includes the
With a nearly six-to-one ratio of Data Security Standard) Certified
prescription number and that is
refills to new prescriptions, APM
applied to each bag. Bar coding
technology enables consumers to
is a proven, accurate identifier, as
“self-triage” their pharmacy visits,
demonstrated in other pharmacy
so those with a familiar refill can
applications.
“grab and go,” giving the pharmacy
Does APM technology team more time to spend with con-
sumers who have new or complex
interfere with the customer/
medication regimens. Easier access
pharmacist relationship? increases the likelihood of consum-
ers picking up their prescriptions,
If deployed appropriately, APM
an essential first step to promoting
technology may actually enhance
adherence.
customer/pharmacist interaction.
APM ensures that every con-
Does 24-hour access
sumer is prompted to consult with
a pharmacist as part of the user compromise consumer • Affordable Fast Set-up and Installation
interface. Customers can either
safety considerations? • Web-based Training
approach the counter or talk with
• Touchscreen with Integrated
One area we’ve worked on exten-
a pharmacist by using a phone on
Signature Capture
sively with state boards of phar-
the unit. This is an improvement
• Will-Call Management
macy is the value of 24-hour access.
over the traditional pharmacy set-
In some cases, boards have decided
ting, where every consumer comes
that APMs can be used only during
to the counter and employees may
Empowering Pharmacies for Success
pharmacy hours, particularly in the
forget to offer counseling to every
early phases of deployment. The
customer during peak times.
main concern boards express is
Further, APM offers a tool to
about access to pharmacists when
help pharmacies compete with mail
the pharmacy is closed. This issue
order by making it as convenient as
For more details:
is addressed by the fact that APM
possible for customers to come into
877.716.2403
the pharmacy, thereby maintaining continued on next page www.emporos.net
the pharmacist’s relationship with
Computertalk for the Pharmacist • January/February 2009

3. FeaTure dealing wiTh sTaTe boards
APM offers a tool to help pharmacies compete with
continued from previous page
technology offers 24-hour tele-
mail order by making it as convenient as possible
phone access to a live pharmacist.
for customers to come into the pharmacy, thereby
So if a consumer has a medication
question, help is never more than a
maintaining the pharmacist’s relationship with these
phone call away.
customers.
A Positive Experience about how you believe your to submit additional information
Our experience in engaging technology can be accommo- as requested.
state boards of pharmacy has been dated within the spirit of the Whenever you are contemplating
a positive one. On balance, we have law. a technology-based innovation in
found that boards of pharmacy are
pharmacy practice, it is important
n Prepare your audience
true to their commitments, looking
to remember that state boards of
Provide as much information
to protect pharmacies and consum-
pharmacy play a crucial oversight
before the meeting as possible
ers in their evaluation of APM tech-
role, with the goal of protecting the
so members can come prepared
nology. If you have an opportunity
interests of pharmacies and their
and informed.
to present an emerging technology
customers. CT
to a state board of pharmacy, I rec-
n Engage in a dialogue
ommend the following guidelines: Mark Longley is a
The process is most effective
director of busi-
n Prepare yourself when you approach it as an
ness development
ongoing, two-way dialogue.
Read the laws, become familiar and regulatory
Encourage questions, provide
with the language, and 2:17 PM Page 1
be liaison for Parata
Updated_TPT_Ad_ml 8/2/06
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ComputerTalk for the Pharmacist • January/February 2009