Sustainability pharmacy assistants in large urban hospital system

The financial feasibility and practical viability of implementing a Sustainability Pharmacy Assistant Position (SPAP) program were assessed in this study. Human resources operating independently of the site were utilized by this innovative strategy to process medication returns for redistribution.

The cost-effectiveness of employing SPAPs solely responsible for processing medication returns for redistribution was assessed in a 3-month pilot service at two hospital sites. Funding was sourced from unfilled positions, and the SPAP's tasks and schedule were coordinated with site staff. Data on medication returns and workflow were collected and analysed as well as labor costs and expenses to evaluate cost savings and operational impact. The results of the pilot were extrapolated to yield an estimate of the impacts of an expanded SPAP program for 12 hospitals in the area.

The pilot service revealed net savings from SPAPs at two hospitals of $19 951. Extrapolating the net savings to two SPAPs working for a full year and servicing 12 Fraser Health hospitals, the return on investment was $6.51 per dollar invested for the first year. SPAPs are highly cost-effective and address previous problems with site-based resource issues. The SPAP was smoothly integrated into each site's workflow, with no disruptions or complaints from staff, allowing them to focus on their primary duties.

Costs are effectively reduced, and operational efficiency is enhanced by the SPAPs through the processing of medication returns for redistribution. Given these positive outcomes, plans are in place to expand the program to additional sites, and similar initiatives are recommended for other healthcare systems. Financial savings are yielded by this approach, along with environmental benefits through the reduction of medication waste and incineration.