Factors influencing the delivery of pharmacy services

This study of 590 community pharmacies examined relationships between prescription payment methods and the number of pharmacy services provided at community pharmacies. Also studied were pharmacists' perceptions regarding: (1) the importance of 24 different pharmacy services, (2) the importance of three motivating factors in providing pharmacy services, (3) satisfaction with three methods of payment for pharmacy services, and (4) agreement with factors cited in the literature as barriers to pharmaceutical care. Results revealed a significant positive relationship (p < 0.05) between the number of pharmacy services provided and the percentage of private-pay prescriptions processed. A significant (p < 0.05) inverse relationship was identified between the number of pharmacy services provided and both the percentage of prescriptions processed for third parties other than Medicaid and the percentage of all third party prescriptions processed. Financial incentives were identified as the most important motivator in providing pharmacy services. Private-pay reimbursement was significantly more satisfactory to respondents than Medicaid reimbursement, and both were more satisfactory than reimbursement by a third party other than Medicaid. The greatest perceived barriers to the provision of pharmacy services involved financial and administrative considerations. Results suggest that financial incentives play a critical role in stimulating the provision of pharmacy services.