Thank you for Subscribing to Cannabis Business Insights Weekly Brief
Scaling Compliance for Greater Patient Impact
The primary focus of our Compliance Program is to improve patient medication adherence by leveraging automation and centralized filling to impact a larger population. I lead a team of pharmacists and technicians who perform patient outreach, program enrollment, and multi-dose medication blister packaging. Additionally, I collaborate with internal and external partners to conceive and implement software enhancements and workflow solutions, create SOPs, and performance objectives to train and develop the team and standardize work across the department. Given that our program spans multiple locations across several states, I also oversee its expansion in coordination with field and store leadership, developing rollout schedules, training materials, and marketing collateral to support successful implementation. The Measurable Impact of Adherence Packaging Adherence packaging enhances not only medication compliance but also patient safety, convenience, and dose accuracy. Blister packs feature tamper-evident seals that help prevent medication mix-ups, while their compact design supports portability, reducing the likelihood of missed doses when patients are away from home. The calendarized, multi-dose format further simplifies medication tracking, promoting consistent and accurate usage. Research has shown that adherence packaging delivers significant benefits. The randomized clinical trial, STOMPP (Study to Measure the Impact of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Services on Medication Non-Adherence), compared the use of adherence medication packaging Vs. traditional prescription vials. Patients assigned to the multi-dose packaging group reached 90% adherence rates by the conclusion of the trial, compared to those assigned to the vial-only group, who reached a maximum adherence rate of 56%. In our patient population, specifically, an average increase in adherence score of 6% across all Big three medication categories was achieved in only 3 months post-enrollment. We have also seen an increase in refill rate of 1.5 additional fills annually per medication. These outcomes contribute to better clinical results, reduced healthcare costs, and an enhanced quality of life for patients. Software-Driven Solutions for Seamless Patient Service An advanced, user-friendly medication synchronization platform is crucial for driving operational efficiency and enabling seamless scalability of compliance packaging programs across multiple locations. To ensure all maintenance medications are included in blister packs, it is essential that prescription data is transmitted to the centralized filling facility automatically and in a timely manner. Also, a standardized conversion of prescription instructions into defined administration times is essential to ensure precise placement of medications within the appropriate blister compartments. Effective software tools automate data workflows, reducing the need for user intervention, which is integral when servicing hundreds of patients. Harnessing Automation to Expand Patient Care I have had the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art automation technology that enables the production of multi-dose blister packs for approximately 20 patients per hour, roughly four times faster than manual filling methods. While traditionally used in long-term care settings, blister packaging holds significant potential for community pharmacy customers as well. Leveraging packaging automation allows pharmacists more time to offer clinical services and a more appointment-based model of patient care. Dispensing monthly blister packs creates an opportunity to coordinate immunizations, comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs), and medication therapy management (MTM), delivering a more holistic healthcare experience for our patients. The Critical Role of Communication in Packaging Success Effective patient communication is foundational to the success of an adherence packaging program. To support this, we established a dedicated Patient Engagement Technician role responsible for coordinating medication synchronization and conducting monthly outreach to patients and prescribers. This role ensures timely follow-up on refill requests and facilitates the management of new medications and dosage adjustments. Despite tight labor budgets in retail pharmacy, strategic investment in patient engagement can yield substantial returns in adherence and patient satisfaction.