In an evolving age of healthcare delivery, local pharmacies have emerged as key access points for patient care, with point-of-care testing (POCT) located to revolutionize pharmacy services. The Pharmacist View Video Programme was Duane Jones, BSPharm, and Director of the Regional Pharmacy and Clinical Programmes for Harps Food Stores, discussing the role of pharmacists in POCT.
With over half of the population struggling to access healthcare, community pharmacies have emerged as unexpected heroes in healthcare delivery systems. | Image credit: LittleWolf1989 -Stock.adobe.com
“We can see the only profession where we can see everything, all the prescriptions people have, and how we deal with those patients and their relationships,” Jones said in the program. “We can actually close these care gaps by creating a point of care testing program at your pharmacy. It gives you that destination point.”
Healthcare Access Challenge
The current healthcare landscape presents important challenges that demand innovative solutions. With over half of the population struggling to access appropriate healthcare, community pharmacies have emerged as unexpected heroes in healthcare delivery systems. These local healthcare hubs serve 33 patients each year compared to doctors on three visits a year, and have pharmacists located among the most accessible providers.
Geographical disparities in healthcare access are particularly prominent in rural and urban healthcare deserts. In many communities, pharmacies are the only healthcare touchpoint, filling in the key gaps in healthcare delivery.
“Today, there are so many people who are struggling not only in the US but also in urban areas, they just sail to get through crowds and very populated areas,” Jones said. “There is a healthcare desert, but there is a pharmacy. Even a pharmacy, we are in town, the only pharmacy in town.
Traditionally, concerns have existed about the possibility that POCT could disrupt the relationship between doctors and pharmacists. However, emerging evidence suggests a more collaborative approach, making pharmacists an important partner in comprehensive patient care. By providing immediate testing and treatment, pharmacies can bridge key healthcare gaps, especially in these areas where access to medical care is limited.
Healthcare providers increasingly recognize that pharmacies are valuable partners in comprehensive care delivery. Jones highlighted case studies in which pharmacies provide important services such as rapid testing and treatment that complement traditional medical practices rather than competing with them. This approach converts pharmacists from medication dispensers to integrated healthcare providers.
Technical, operational and marketing considerations
Effective POCT implementation requires strategic technical and operational planning. Pharmacies need to integrate existing pharmacy management systems, develop efficient billing processes, create training templates for staff, and leverage technology to streamline services. This evolution of technology requires a strategic approach that balances innovation with practical implementation. The latest POCT features have expanded dramatically, covering a wide range of diagnostic services. From COVID-19 testing and influenza screening to hemoglobin A1C monitoring and cholesterol testing, pharmacies can offer a comprehensive suite of diagnostic services.
A strategic marketing approach is required for successful implementation. Pharmacies develop information brochures, use social media platforms, create targeted bag stuffer campaigns, and utilize word-of-mouth referrals. Research shows that point-of-care test patients are usually between 18 and 44 years old, with about a third of them shortage of primary care physicians. According to Jones, this represents an important opportunity for pharmacies to attract and retain new patient populations.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are driving a fundamental shift towards value-based care by 2030, positioning pharmacies as key health care partners. The financial impact exceeds immediate revenue generation. Positioning itself as a comprehensive healthcare provider allows pharmacies to develop long-term relationships with patients and insurance providers. The ability to deliver immediate and accessible testing and treatments represents a critical value proposition in an increasingly complex healthcare ecosystem.
Economic factors and potential revenues
The financial environment for pharmacy services has undergone major transformations, with POCT emerging as a potential game-changing revenue stream. According to Jones, traditional pharmacy models suffer from thin profit margins, usually around 2% per prescription. POCT offers a compelling alternative, allowing pharmacies to charge around $90 per screening test, equivalent to revenue generated by filling up about 90 prescriptions.
“To make the same $90, you need to fill in 90 prescriptions,” Jones said. “If I can spend 15-20 minutes now, do point-of-care testing for patients, make a difference in life, get real positive feedback and make that money, I would rather do that than try and fill 90 prescriptions in 15-20 minutes.”
This economic model represents more than just economic opportunities. It is a fundamental rethink of the pharmacy value proposition. By diversifying services beyond pharmacies, pharmacies can create more meaningful patient interactions while addressing their own financial sustainability. The possibility that POCT exceeds vaccination income is a major change in how pharmacies can generate revenue and provide value to their communities.
We are the only profession where we can see everything, and we can see how we handle all the prescriptions people have, and the relationships we have with those patients. – Duane Jones, bspharm
Implementation and potential challenges
“When we started the Point of Care Test in Arkansas, the law was silent so we didn't say if we could or could not,” Jones said. Currently, 48 states allow pharmacists to perform POCT, with key requirements such as obtaining clinical laboratory improvement exemptions, verifying local regulatory requirements, and developing comprehensive testing protocols. A successful implementation requires a holistic approach to pharmacy operations, including staff training, workflow optimization, and technology integration. Pharmacies should invest in creating robust systems that seamlessly incorporate POCT into existing service models to ensure regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
Pharmacies need to navigate several challenges, including overcoming initial resistance to change, learning the complex medical expense learning process, investing in staff training, and developing efficient workflow models. Successful implementation requires active legislative involvement, including working with state pharmacy associations, building relationships with local lawmakers, and demonstrating the value of expanded pharmacy services. This advocacy is important in creating a supportive regulatory environment that will enable pharmacies to fully realize their potential as comprehensive healthcare providers.
Conclusion
With POCT in mind, pharmacies should carefully assess their capabilities, investigate local regulations, develop comprehensive staff training programs, explore testing options, initiate process credentials, and develop strategic implementation plans. POCT provides community pharmacies with transformative pathways to improve patient care, generate new revenue, expand clinical services and establish themselves as key healthcare providers.
As healthcare evolves, pharmacies embrace innovation, invest in staff development, and prioritize access to patients are ideally suited to thrive in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. The future of pharmacies is not only to distribute medicines, but to become an essential, accessible and active medical partner for communities across the country.
“The future of pharmacies is not just about distributing medications, but also about becoming an essential, accessible and active medical partner for communities across the country,” Jones said.
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