Rite Aid’s Idaho pharmacists will soon prescribe some meds
Rite Aid announced on Wednesday that, starting July 1, pharmacists at all locations in Idaho will be able to prescribe medications to treat select, common conditions like cold sores, seasonal influenza, strep throat and urinary tract infections, as well as statins for patients with diabetes.
“This is an important moment in the practice of pharmacy and we applaud the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy for recognizing the public health benefit of expanding the role of the pharmacist,” said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “As part of their pharmacy school curriculum, pharmacists undergo extensive training on medications, including effectiveness, interactions and side effects, and this training continues throughout their professional career. That knowledge, coupled with their accessibility within the community and their established relationships with patients makes this expansion of services a natural next step and one we’re excited to make available to our patients in Idaho. ”
Per the requirements of the Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority Rule Docket 27-0104-1701 promulgated by the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy, Rite Aid pharmacists will consult with the patient and use an assessment form based on clinical guidelines and evidence-based research to determine whether or not a prescription is medically appropriate. In addition to documenting each consultation, the pharmacist will also work with each patient to develop a plan for follow up care and to notify their primary care physician of any prescribed therapy; if the patient does not have a primary care physician, the pharmacist can recommend one.
A service fee of up to $30 will be charged for each consultation (price varies based on type of consultation).
Added Konrad, “As the country’s healthcare delivery system continues to change, we must continue to fully leverage the expertise and capabilities of our pharmacists. Rite Aid has worked diligently to help our pharmacists practice at the top of their license, whether it be administering immunizations, dispensing naloxone without a prescription or even prescribing hormonal contraceptives at select locations in California and all of our Oregon pharmacies, and we remain committed to expanding their role in order to provide an even greater level of care to our patients and communities.”
“This is an important moment in the practice of pharmacy and we applaud the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy for recognizing the public health benefit of expanding the role of the pharmacist,” said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “As part of their pharmacy school curriculum, pharmacists undergo extensive training on medications, including effectiveness, interactions and side effects, and this training continues throughout their professional career. That knowledge, coupled with their accessibility within the community and their established relationships with patients makes this expansion of services a natural next step and one we’re excited to make available to our patients in Idaho. ”
Per the requirements of the Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority Rule Docket 27-0104-1701 promulgated by the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy, Rite Aid pharmacists will consult with the patient and use an assessment form based on clinical guidelines and evidence-based research to determine whether or not a prescription is medically appropriate. In addition to documenting each consultation, the pharmacist will also work with each patient to develop a plan for follow up care and to notify their primary care physician of any prescribed therapy; if the patient does not have a primary care physician, the pharmacist can recommend one.
A service fee of up to $30 will be charged for each consultation (price varies based on type of consultation).
Added Konrad, “As the country’s healthcare delivery system continues to change, we must continue to fully leverage the expertise and capabilities of our pharmacists. Rite Aid has worked diligently to help our pharmacists practice at the top of their license, whether it be administering immunizations, dispensing naloxone without a prescription or even prescribing hormonal contraceptives at select locations in California and all of our Oregon pharmacies, and we remain committed to expanding their role in order to provide an even greater level of care to our patients and communities.”