Montana Solves Pharmacy Shortage with Telemedicine

Rural communities in many parts of the United States face problems with having little to no availability of several important medical or emergency services such as dental care or firefighters. Access to a licensed pharmacist is an especially acute issue, as it requires many residents to travel great distances in order to receive needed medicine or consultations. Such difficulties can encourage residents to request care or medicine only in the case of emergencies and to deal with illness without assistance.

The Montana communities of West Yellowstone and Whitehall needed an efficient and cost-effective way to fulfill their residents’ needs for quality pharmacy services. West Yellowstone did not have an available pharmacist, which proved challenging for both the permanent residents and the millions of tourists who visit the area each year. With the nearest pharmacy 90 miles away, many residents would choose not to seek medical attention knowing they would have to travel to receive any prescribed medicines.

In the town of Whitehall, an older pharmacy was destroyed in a fire, and the new pharmacy was not able to fill the pharmacist position for six months, forcing the owners to convert to telepharmacy.

Both communities needed a cost-effective and convenient pharmacy solution that duplicated the in-person pharmacist experience as closely as possible. Concerns about dispensing accuracy and customer safety needed to be addressed and resolved. The technology components of the telepharmacy system had to be intuitive in usage for both the technician and the customer, and provide a reliable and secure platform for confidential consultations.

The Solution: GlobalMed’s Telepharmacy Technology
Elkhorn pharmacy, located 165 miles away from West Yellowstone and 40 miles from Whitehall provides a licensed pharmacist who uses GlobalMed’s remote pharmacy solution. Owned by Josh Morris, a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), the Elkhorn location became the first privately owned telepharmacy in Montana two years ago. As one of only 18 states that allow telepharmacy, Montana (and Elkhorn) is at the forefront of this new virtual practice.

The Elkhorn pharmacy uses GlobalMed’s technology services to serve the pharmacy needs in Whitehall and West Yellowstone. Live video conferencing enables counseling sessions. High resolution cameras let the remote pharmacist confirm prescriptions and medications before they are dispensed. Customers can use a headset and microphone that provide a crystal-clear audio connection with the pharmacist and a video monitor that allows them to see each other. This personal interaction builds trust between customers and the pharmacist and also ensures safety as opposed to internet or mail-order based pharmacy services that exclude pharmacist interaction.

GlobalMed’s technology suite has been readily accepted by residents of Whitehall and West Yellowstone. “This was our third summer providing telepharmacy in West Yellowstone. Typically in small towns people might be skeptical of new technologies, but the adoption period was not too long, and they are now used to the system,” said Mr. Morris.

Consultations in traditional pharmacies place an emphasis on confidentiality and privacy. GlobalMed’s EasyShare®VC client is an easy download teleconferencing client that gives the Whitehall and West Yellowstone locations’ customers the assurance that their medical and drug information remains confidential. “The system provides professional counseling services and also meets all of the government-mandated safety and consultation protocols,” said Morris. The EasyShare VC service allows up to 10 different locations to communicate simultaneously and share files and images using a simple firewall-friendly interface. Users need a computer, Webcam, microphone and a high-speed internet connection or a broadband wireless card.

GlobalMed’s iREZ i5770 high-resolution camera gives Mr. Morris confidence in the review of medicine dispensing at the remote pharmacy locations. With pan, tilt and zoom capability, the camera system provides clear images of medicines and also gives a personal touch to prescription consultation sessions. “Being able to see the various pills and bottles clearly is of utmost importance,” said Mr. Morris.

The audio portion of the system is provided by the ClearMic™ Duo, a “plug and play” USB audio solution. With an echo-canceling microphone that eliminates static, the ClearMic ensures there is no confusion or mistakes during remote consultations due to poor audio quality or interference.

Mr. Morris spoke about the benefits of GlobalMed’s telepharmacy solution in regards to the supporting rural communities: “GlobalMed is the most streamlined and efficient way to do telepharmacy. Number one, the technology allows us to provide pharmacy services to smaller locations where the population cannot support a full-scale pharmacy. And number two, it allows us to keep existing small town pharmacies that are struggling to support a full-time pharmacist.