Pharmax Clinical Services Programs Key to Success

This is part of ScriptPro’s In the Field series, which highlights ScriptPro customers engaging in unique programs that positively impact their local communities.

With multiple locations just south of St. Louis, Pharmax Pharmacy has been leading by example since 1994. Its ongoing success is a testament that utilizing technology to allow you to develop patient-focused Clinical Services programs, combined with fostering an internal culture of professionalism and teamwork, really pays off.

Pharmax offers a number of patient-focused services.

Owner Larry McIntosh states, “We have a mission at Pharmax, which is to become Top of Mind to our patients as the place to turn to, to depend on. I’ve found that there’s interconnectedness between positively impacting patients’ lives, creating a meaningful work environment, and profitability.”

Clinical Services Key to Patient Connections

“Recently, we on-boarded a new PharmD-MBA grad whose role it will be to work across all of our stores coordinating our growing Clinical Services program. We’ve been expanding this program over the past few years.

“We make it a priority to offer robust clinical services – MTM, Comprehensive Medication Reviews, and immunizations. It’s imperative to figure out how to make the time for these services, because if you’re backed up 10 or 20 patients, it’s just not going to happen. And then how do you create those connections?

With multiple locations in southeastern Missouri, Pharmax Pharmacy utilizes technology tools to connect with patients and the community.

“Profitability is certainly in mind, but you also think about how you can build that relationship with your patients, their families, and the community. You have to look at Clinical Services as part of a larger picture – a component that can positively impact your adherence scores, star ratings, and supplier incentives. Offering these services is necessary for your pharmacy’s overall viability and success, as well as critical to your patients’ well-being.”

Growing Med Sync through Marketing

“As a business owner, you absolutely need to spend time on marketing to current and potential customers. If you’ve got a successful program, don’t just be content with that, but instead continue to push for improvement. For example, we run a great Medication Synchronization program, but recently launched marketing efforts to not only acquire new patients, but also to reach current customers and get them signed up for our Med Sync. We even get our employees in on it, offering short and fun acquisition incentives!

“In one of our busiest stores, we had 400 Med Sync patients. We’re up to 700 now, heading to 800. There’s such value in getting patients to adhere and take their medications when they’re supposed to. Our ScriptPro robots readily process our growing prescription volume, and in a short amount of time – allowing us to get them out of the way so we can give personalized attention to our walk-in patients.”

The Future of Pharmax

“I attend many pharmacy industry meetings, and it’s always the same story. We spend so much effort on improving technology, but fail to actually adopt it! Automation, IVR, electronic sig capture – you name it. I’ve seen first-hand how technology makes Pharmax the place people turn to and allows me to continue to grow. With our new stores, you better believe technology has its place!”

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