Improving Time to Care with Virtual Pharmacy: Availability Notifications Amid Drug Shortages
By: Kyle Amelung, PharmD
Access to medications can profoundly impact patient well-being, especially when patients rely on a specific medication to manage their health condition. Due to supply chain disruptions and manufacturing issues, the FDA reports a constant number of life-changing drugs are temporarily unavailable [1]. The Department of Health and Human Services states these shortages can have severe consequences, including delays to proper care, higher costs, and increased errors [2]. Without proactive communication, patients may face uncertainty and stress, unsure of when or if their needed medication will be accessible again.
Related, a significant percentage of patients express frustration with the typical healthcare and pharmacy experience, often citing long wait times, lack of communication, and difficulties in accessing necessary medications. But the transition to digital is happening. Last year, 89% of mail order pharmacy customers utilized technology to interact with their pharmacy, with 81% of patients using retail pharmacies stating the same [3]. However, similar to ecommerce and every other customer-facing portal, the user experience can vary widely from one platform to the next. In a recent study, only 1 in 5 digital experiences satisfied all criteria to be labeled "high-functioning", those that were “clearly explaining coverage and usage; providing information on deductibles and out-of-pocket spend" [4].
Perhaps this is one reason why 41% of insured adults continue to face cost barriers to care [5].
Receiving both timely notifications on medication availability and accurate out of pocket costs are crucial. Best-in-class user experiences that include pharmacy-driven alerts are a vital part in improving time to care, particularly as drug shortages endure and patient’s become exhausted from navigating ongoing hurdles.
The Role of Virtual Pharmacy in Addressing Distribution Challenges
Virtual Pharmacy solutions, also known as Digital Pharmacy or Direct-to-Patient pharmacy programs, help in improving patient access, streamlining medication distribution, and improving clinical outcomes through digital-first, configurable experiences.
Since our founding, and as an industry leader, Truepill recognizes the growing role of technology in valuable healthcare delivery. We work to uniquely enhance pharmacy experiences through:
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We continue to recognize that our future of healthcare delivery will be shaped by solutions prioritizing patient needs and operational excellence. Our Virtual Pharmacy’s new medication availability notifications are about more than a relatively-simple convenience; they truly keep patients informed about their treatment options, helping overcome a significant barrier in their healthcare journey.
About Truepill:
Truepill is dedicated to transforming consumer healthcare with digital-first, accessible, and convenient solutions. We offer comprehensive end-to-end patient support, from prescription intake to fulfillment and clinical assistance, enhanced by real-time delivery and medication alerts to improve engagement and adherence.
Our healthcare technology infrastructure allows partners to deliver seamless, world-class care. As a pharmacy, patient services, and tech company, we provide modular, scalable solutions, including a robust API infrastructure, a white-labeled Virtual Pharmacy front-end experience, and custom packaging. TruepillOS, our operating system, unifies and delivers real-time insights, making us the preferred partner for leading healthcare organizations.
Learn more about Truepill’s Virtual Pharmacy