Health Beat: Study Says Community Pharmacists’ Network Improves Patient Health Outcomes

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STUDY SAYS COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS’ NETWORK IMPROVES PATIENT HEALTH OUTCOMES: A year-long survey conducted by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) in collaboration with the Arkansas Pharmacists Association (APA) and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer finds that independent community pharmacists can network together across diverse practice settings to achieve dramatically improved patient health.

The year-long study measured the collective impact of appointment-based medication synchronization (ABMS) services provided by 82 participating community pharmacies across Arkansas. Pharmacies, operating on 13 unique pharmacy management systems, provided standardized ABMS services using technology provided by pharmaceutical software firm PrescribeWellness.

Patients who received ABMS services were over 2.5 times more likely to stick with their medication as prescribed by their doctor. Medication adherence has been demonstrated to improve health care outcomes and reduce overall health costs. By contrast, patients who did not receive ABMS services were 21% more likely to discontinue their prescription drug regimen. To view the full report, click here.

MEDICAL ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTED TO STATE INSURANCE MARKETPLACE BOARD: Brett Kirkman, administrator and CEO of Gastro Arkansas, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM), which manages the state-based health insurance exchange in Arkansas.

Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang, R- Beebe, Kirkman has more than 20 years of experience in the health care field. In his current role at Gastro Arkansas, Kirkman provides administrative oversight to the company’s multiple clinics and surgery centers. He has also developed and implemented health insurance products for companies such as Wellpoint/Anthem and Mercy Health Plans of Arkansas. The Arkansas health care executive previously served as vice president of Cox Health, which is an integrated health care provider network of more than 700 physicians.

HHS: ARKANSAS TO SEE 4.3% HIKE ON HEALTH EXCHANGE SILVER PLANS – Arkansans will see a 4.3% increase for lower-cost silver plans on the state’s Health Insurance Marketplace, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday. That’s below the average increase of 7.5% for the 37 states where consumers utilize thehealthcare.gov website. Oklahomans will take the hardest hit with a 35.7% increase. Four states will see decreases, with Indiana’s the largest at 12.6%.

LEGISLATORS TOLD STATE CAN RUN EXCHANGE CHEAPER THAN FEDS: A 3% charge on premiums would be enough to sustain a state-based health insurance exchange, which would be cheaper than one run by the federal government, legislators were told Thursday (Oct. 22). At the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM) Legislative Oversight Committee, AHIM Board Chairman Chris Parker said that, based on the current 60,000-65,000 insurance exchange members, 3% would be enough to sustain a state exchange. The exchange is an online marketplace created by the federal Affordable Care Act where individuals and small businesses can purchase health insurance.