EPFMC’s Clinical Pharmacy Program
By the time we see patients in our clinic, they have overcome many obstacles to receiving medical care. In 2009, the opening of our very own Clinical Pharmacy Program, headed up by Nicole Alton, PharmD, resident Pharmacist and Director of Pharmacy Services, eliminated another of these stumbling blocks.
Previously, many patients had difficulty accessing medications their doctors prescribed due to lack of insurance and an inability to pay out-of-pocket. Alton says, “EPFMC recognized a need to provide pharmacy services to their patients and providers to create more complete, comprehensive, and convenient clinic services. The pharmacy started with two employees—myself and pharmacy technician Manuel Acuna. From there, we developed the pharmacy program based on the needs of the clinic and its patients.” It has blossomed quickly to include the following:
Increasing medication access—Patients receiving medication are not eligible for insurance and are unable to afford prescriptions, so the pharmacy provides them free of charge. The pharmacy also acts as an advocate for patients by helping them apply to the Patient Assistance Program, qualifying others for prescriptions through two different bulk replenishment programs that allow EPFMC to dispense medications that same day rather than six weeks later, as well as seeking medication donations through Direct Relief.
Patient counseling—Medication pick-ups include discussing medication use, side effects, and any potential drug interactions.
Preventive care program—TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis/whooping cough) vaccinations and flu shots are provided through the pharmacy with referrals by EPFMC physicians. Pharmacy personnel also seek out additional vaccines through appropriate programs.
Drug information services to patients—Written or verbal drug information is provided to patients, as is assistance in understanding the labels on their prescriptions. Instructions on inhaler or insulin injection techniques are also available.
Provider education—The pharmacy strives to share evidence-based information about the assets and adverse effects of medications as new data becomes available. One method is through a monthly newsletter that covers medications, law changes, and new pharmacy programs.
Medication therapy management—Patients with high-risk medications, multiple medications, or even multiple pharmacies dispensing their medications can receive assistance in managing their therapy program through the pharmacy and get education about why it is important to adhere to the instructions of their physicians and medication programs.
Disease state management—EPFMC belongs to a Health Resources & Services Administration (HSRA) sponsored program called the Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative (PSPC), which focuses on improving patient outcomes through increasing use of clinical pharmacy services. Our pharmacy focuses on diabetic patients by ensuring understanding of their medications and the use of their medical equipment.
Providers can refer patients to the EPFMC pharmacy program who exhibit signs that their diabetes is “out of control.” This referral allows them to meet weekly with the pharmacist for medication regimen evaluation, adjustment, and tailoring to bring their diabetes “under control.” Meetings may include discussions on side effects, the importance of compliance, insulin injection instruction, and any other topics that help patients understand their diabetes better.
The two-year-old pharmacy is not yet able to accept insurance plans, so it primarily serves the Clinic’s grant funded patients, but the public is welcome to purchase prescriptions with cash.
Most retail pharmacies do not have the wide range of clinical services EPFMC does and Alton beams about the gift it is to her patients to have such a thriving program. For that matter, to have a pharmacy with resident pharmacists at all. She states, “EPFMC should be very proud to have its own pharmacy. There are only two other clinics in southern California that have licensed pharmacies with pharmacists. Most clinics have dispensaries and the providers are responsible for labeling, counting, and dispensing the medication.”
In addition, it provides yet another element to the “one stop shopping” philosophy that EPFMC espouses. “Patients are able to have access to their medications and a pharmacist in one convenient location,” says Alton. Since their doctors are in the same complex, if there is a concern, continues Alton, “The pharmacy is in direct communication with the patient’s provider and may quickly resolve questions or concerns with prescription regimens.”
Alton is enthusiastic about directing the pharmacy. She sees “the passion that the providers and employees have to serve their patients and the professionalism that resounds throughout the “clinic” as strong reasons to stay with EPFMC. She says the pharmacy program “is something near and dear to my heart, as are my staff.” Alton concludes proudly, “Our job doesn’t stop at the receipt of a prescription.”
Pharmacy Staff:
Dr. Nicole Alton—Director of Pharmacy Services
Dr. Bashir Hamadani—Pharmacist
Dr. Gregory Flores—Per diem pharmacist
Dr. Irwin Sitkoff—Per diem pharmacist
Manuel Acuna—Pharmacy Technician
Jessica Montufar—Pharmacy Clerk
Pharmacy Hours: Mon, Wed and Thurs: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed for lunch from 1:00-1:30 p.m.
Tues and Fri 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Closed for lunch from 1:00-1:30 p.m.
Sat 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed for lunch from 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: 1500 S. Olive St., ground floor
Los Angeles, CA 90015
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Read the rest of the current issue of EPFMC’s Caring for LA newsletter.