PharmaSmart, Rexall enter deal to integrate kiosk data, electronic patient records

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Health kiosk maker PharmaSmart International and Canadian retail pharmacy chain Rexall will combine PharmaSmart's biometric screening technology with Rexall's dispensing system, under a new partnership announced Monday.

Pharmacists at Rexall will be presented with alerts within the electronic patient record that will inform them of a patient's biometric screening status, with an icon appearing based on average readings and, in most severe cases, urgent alerts to trigger immediate intervention and referral to follow-up care when indicated. For the partnership, PharmaSmart is also working with Rexall's pharmacy software division, Propharm. The kiosk maker announced a similar deal last month with Astrup Drug, a chain that operates stores in Minnesota and Iowa.

"This program can help close the systemic gaps in chronic disease management, which place a huge economic burden on the Canadian healthcare system," PharmaSmart COO Ashton Maaraba said. "Rexall has shown strong industry leadership with this deployment, and we are confident this program will help drive improved medication adherence, patient outcomes and the overall health of Canadians nationwide."

Pharmacists will also have access to an advanced clinical portal allowing an in-depth overview of the patient's biometric history. The data are integrated into standardized medication review sessions, and comprehensive program data are available to assess risk stratification and biometric trending geographically and across the full patient population.

"This new tool leverages our community pharmacists and advanced Health IT to drive improved management of chronic disease," Rexall VP pharmacy services Tracey Phillips said. "This new technology enables pharmacists to practice to their full scope, make the necessary interventions and provide a more complete level of care to the patient."