Impact of managed care in pharmacy

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Pharmacy Practice
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Managed care implementation affects healthcare systems, leading to reduced reimbursement and provider consolidation.
• Pharmacy services across all settings are significantly impacted by these healthcare system changes.
• Employee compensation, a major hospital expense, is a primary target for cost-reduction strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of managed care on pharmacy services.
• To identify opportunities for pharmacists to adapt and implement changes within the evolving healthcare environment.
• To explore how pharmacy departments are responding to cost-containment pressures.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the impact of managed care on pharmacy service delivery.
• Review of strategies employed by pharmacists to broaden their scope of practice.
• Assessment of changes in pharmacy operations, including automation and technician roles.

Main Results:

• Managed care has led to decreased reimbursement and increased provider consolidation, affecting pharmacy services.
• Pharmacy departments are responding with increased automation and expanded responsibilities for technicians.
• Pharmacists are broadening their roles to enhance drug use and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacists have opportunities to drive change and improve care delivery in the managed care environment.
• Expanding pharmacist responsibilities is crucial for optimizing drug use and reducing drug-related hospitalizations.
• Adapting to managed care necessitates a strategic evolution of pharmacy practice to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.