NuCara set to open telepharmacy in Oct.
NuCara Pharmacy has announced they will be opening a telepharmacy in Montezuma this fall, finally bringing pharmacy healthcare services back to the community. The new telepharmacy is slated to begin serving patients in October of 2017 and will operate out of the old Alexander Drug storefront.
A telepharmacy, or remote-dispensing site, functions much like a traditional pharmacy except the pharmacist reviews prescriptions and consults with patients from an offsite location. Certified pharmacy technicians will greet patients and deliver medications. Consultations with the pharmacist are available via live and interactive video counseling. Additionally, a pharmacist will be on-site in Montezuma on a part time basis to provide clinical services, such as immunizations or medication reviews, face-to-face.
Montezuma is home to a very strong rural healthcare clinic, boasting three full time providers. Physician James B. Paulson has been practicing medicine in the community for nearly 40 years. The clinic’s providers are thrilled at the return of continuity to healthcare to Montezuma.
“I am very excited to have pharmacy services back in town,” stated Dr. Paulson. “The telepharmacy will be a valuable addition to the healthcare environment in Montezuma.”
Telepharmacies have been in operation in Iowa since 2012 when the first store was opened in Victor, Iowa under a pilot project. It wasn’t until spring of 2017, however, that the Iowa Board of Pharmacy approved a permanent structure and rules,
opening telepharmacy up to the rest of the state. Based in Conrad, IA and operating over 20 locations in five states, NuCara has been operating telepharmacies since 2013 including Zearing (IA), Enderlin (ND), and State Center (IA).
“We are thrilled to be joining the Montezuma healthcare community,” stated Brett Barker, pharmacist and vice president of Operations for NuCara. “Our roots are in rural pharmacy and over the past four years we have been a leader in bringing safe and convenient pharmacy services to rural communities through the use of telepharmacy technology.”
Telepharmacy provides a solution for rural communities, many left with gaps in pharmacy service after reductions in prescription drug reimbursements forced many traditional pharmacies to close their doors. Alexander Drug served the community from the location on the north side of the square from 1919 until Gordon Alexander retired and sold the pharmacy in 2008. Operations continued under Remedy Drug and Medicap Pharmacy until 2015 when Medicap permanently shuttered the business.
Montezuma Community Development has worked closely with NuCara, and recently purchased and renovated the Alexander Drug property in preparation of a telepharmacy opening.