Pharmacy Technology

People who deal in real estate like to say that the three most important things to consider when buying or selling a house are “location, location and location.” But when it comes to the way physicians, nurses and pharmacists provide health services to their patients, location ain’t what it used to be.

NEWTON, Mass. — McKesson on Thursday announced seven new clients for its Clear Coverage decision support solution in fiscal year 2013, with an additional seven completing the implementation process. 

New clients, such as Molina Healthcare, are now realizing the benefits of Clear Coverage, which blends coverage, medical appropriateness and provider network intelligence into a single decision stream to support evidence-based, appropriate-care delivery. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A state legislator in Ohio is sponsoring an open-house event to demonstrate advances in telemedicine.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Emdeon has bought a company that provides pharmacy benefit and related services to state Medicaid agencies, Emdeon said.

Emdeon announced the acquisition of Goold Health Systems. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"The acquisition expands Emdeon's position in the government pharmacy benefit administration market while enhancing our existing pharmacy benefit operations," Emdeon EVP pharmacy services Kevin Mahoney said.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Pharmacy automation provider QS/1 has received certification for controlled substances prescribed electronically, the company said.

QS/1 said it received Electronic Prescriptions for Control Substances certification, making it one of the first pharmacy vendors to certify for EPCS in the 10.6 Script Standard.

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Fruth Pharmacy has launched a new mobile app and mobile website, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

Fruth, based in Point Pleasant, W.Va., said the app would allow customers to refill prescriptions, receive pickup and dosage reminders and locate stores and find weekly specials. Starting in three months, Fruth prescription bottles will include a 4-in. QR code to allow quick refills by scanning them with the app.

Perhaps I have become too cynical. But really, when did providing customer service become an inconvenience for some retail staff? Too often I have witnessed reluctance on the part of shoppers to seek help — and if they do, it almost always begins with, “Sorry for interrupting, but …” Think about that. “Sorry for interrupting” what?