'Gumball machines' shouldn't dispense drugs, says pharmacist
In Canada -- the legislature is set to debate the use of "telepharmacy": machines that fill prescriptions, with the patient scanning a written prescription, speaking to a pharmacist through a video link and having the drugs dispensed.
Are Ontarians ready to get their meds from what Manuel dos Reis calls a "gumball machine"?
The legislature is set to debate the use of "telepharmacy": machines that fill prescriptions, with the patient scanning a written prescription, speaking to a pharmacist through a video link and having the drugs dispensed. But dos Reis, pharmacist/operator of The Medicine Shoppe on Great Northern Road, say people prefer the one-on-one relationship they develop with their pharmacist.
"It's definitely not going to be the same quality of care," he said.
He is puzzled by the move from the province, which in the last few years, in co-operation with pharmacists, has been "trying to evolve our model of care from a product provider to a service provider." For example, pharmacists are now being reimbursed for some consultation services and later this month are expected to be able to write and adapt prescriptions in certain cases.
A spokesperson doe Health Minister David Caplan said the kiosks are meant to be complementary, for example by operating out of pharmacies and dispensing more common medications. "It may even make more time for pharmacists (to deal with live patients)," said Steve Erwin.
"This is just providing another option. In no way is it meant to replace pharmacists."
In an announcement Wednesday, Caplan said the technology would work especially well for patients in remote areas of the province.
Erwin said it's "not specifically" limited to rural and Northern locales " but that is one option that could be available. . . . It could be urban locations or remote locations."
Basically, the legislation enables the private sector to install the technology to meet demand, wherever that is, because "right now in Ontario law you have to have a pharmacist physically present," Erwin said.
Two machines have been tested at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital since June. British Columbia is already using the technology, he said.
The "ScriptCenter" is one model that holds between 400 and 500 unique patient prescriptions that has been approved in 35 U.S. states, he said. Consumers call in their prescriptions or refills and the pharmacy fills it as usual. The customer enters an ID and passcode or uses a biometric fingerprint scanner for identification at the ScriptCenter to pick up the prescription. Currently, this technology is focused on prescriptions that have been prepared under the supervision of a pharmacist and the technology provides the finished prescription to the client. This kiosk has already been deployed by pharmacies at Safeway, Rite-Aid and Giant Foods, to name a few.
Dos Reis doubts the technology would be limited to remote areas once it's unleashed. He believes there will always be a segment of our "disposable society" that will "pay the least amount of money for the least amount of service. In situations like this, it doesn't lead to quality care. It leads to accessible care, which isn't the same thing."
The government stressed actual narcotics would not be allowed, only common medications for chronic conditions, for example.
The legislation, to be introduced in the coming days to amend the Drug and Pharmacies Regulations Act and the Ontario Drug Benefit Act, would also allow for mail order where medications for chronic conditions are dispensed and delivered regularly to patients’ homes.
link to scriptcenter
Posted by staff at May 8, 2009 07:09 AM