After the Pandemic Ends, More Specialty Pharmacy Services May Still Be Online

Pharmacy Times® spoke with Rick Miller, the vice president of clinical and professional services at Alliance RX Walgreens Prime the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) distinguished service award that was recently bestowed upon him, and the changing specialty pharmacy field.

Miller received the award at the 2020 NASP Annual Meeting & Expo virtual experience, which took place between September 14 to the 18. During the discussion, Miller also talked about how specialty pharmacy has evolved during the pandemic, specifically the increased demand for mail order prescriptions.

Even after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic ends, Miller said, he expects a lot more patient services will move online. Especially for specialty patients who are stable in their therapy, making the move to a more digital monitoring process can help cut down on patient stress. AllianceRx Walgreens Prime has a program where patients can check the status of their prescription online and answer treatment specific questions through an online portal, only speaking to a pharmacist if they wish.

“We actually may outreach to the patients and provide additional clinical support. So, our clinical team continues, and our digital team continues, to explore ways to transform that digital experience so patients can get their medications faster through self-service refills and their preferred channel of communication,” Miller said.

Miller also discussed how the role specialty pharmacy has had in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and the role it will have in its administration.