NCPA: Patients will not benefit from new mail order prescription program

In response to a new, nationwide Wal-Mart mail order prescription drug program, Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) executive vice president and CEO, issued the following statement:

“When Wal-Mart launched a pilot program for mail order prescriptions in Michigan last May, we highlighted the unintended consequences of steering patients away from using community pharmacies. While Wal-Mart contends they are saving patients money and offering more convenience, they fail to mention the downsides that come with mail order.

“Patients consistently complain to community pharmacists about having to do without their medication due to late mail order delivery. When bulk supplies are ordered, patients can wind up with an excessive amount of medications if any changes occur to what their doctor prescribes. These and other problems are regularly experienced by patients using other large mail order companies like CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Medco Health Solutions.

“In fact, patients who are left waiting by their mailbox often come to community pharmacies for an emergency supply of their medication or for other assistance when mistakes occur. We understand the financial strains occurring under our current health care system, and community pharmacists are more than capable of helping patients reduce cost. For patients with transportation issues, such as those who are homebound, 87% of community pharmacies offer home delivery, often free of charge. This allows the pharmacist-patient relationship to continue.

“When patients use mail order they lose the face-to-face relationship that occurs inside their community pharmacies with clinically trained health care professionals who are dedicated to promoting safety and improving health outcomes. Already, an estimated $290 billion is spent annually on hospital, physician and other treatments for inappropriate medication use. Clearly, more patients risk potential adverse drug events and the resulting treatment costs if they gravitate towards Wal-Mart’s mail order program.”