Collier Partners with Home I.V.

Collier Drug Store on Dickson Street in Fayetteville recently became one of seven support centers for Home I.V. Specialists, a Jonesboro-headquartered infusion therapy provider. The partnership contracts Collier Drug to mix and deliver at least a 48-hour supply of intravenous medication to any Home I.V. patient upon request. Home I.V. patients also may ask Collier Drug to deliver medical supplies.

Holly Murray, a Home I.V. managed care coordinator, said the company allows IV-dependent patients to stay at home during an illness, which reduces hospital time. Home I.V. provides the necessary prescription drugs to Collier Drug, and patients pay the pharmacy for mixing and delivering the medications.

Home I.V. has other support centers in Mountain Home, Fort Smith, Texarkana, Harrison, Little Rock and Jonesboro. Murray said Home I.V. currently is negotiating with a nurse in Springdale who will visit patients at home to help them start their IVs.

Collier pharmacist Kristin Veteto manages the partnership between Collier Drug and Home I.V. She said Collier Drug benefits from the agreement by performing a community service and increasing potential revenue.

Veteto said a similar contract with Apria Healthcare in Lowell keeps the pharmacy busy.