Chief Technology Officer at XIL Consulting, delivering innovative healthcare technology solutions.
Getty
As we make our way through the early part of summer 2020, many states in the country are now on the road to reopening. Despite speculation over a second wave of the pandemic to return in the fall, it's never been a question of if, but more a matter of when — and more importantly, how — to get back to living, working and playing safely given the unpredictable nature of the novel coronavirus.
For the time being, no one is sure quite what that will look like. And yet, a big part of the picture may already be coming into view as independent and corporate pharmacies begin to fill the voids in primary care services and Covid-19 testing.
Kroger is one of several organizations currently making progress to expand the pharmacy drive-thru testing model across more than a dozen states, launching its own website where users can take a virtual assessment of their health before scheduling a testing appointment. Walgreens and CVS are other nationally known brands that are following suit, joined by independent pharmacies of every stripe in expanding and optimizing strategic disease surveillance initiatives.
Greenlighting Care For Millions
Back in April, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) formally authorized pharmacists to order and administer Covid-19 tests, both of the viral and antibody varieties, to identify active and previous infections that may convey immunity, respectively. By nearly every estimation, in order for life to get back to anything resembling normal, this step will need to be taken.
Thankfully, independent pharmacists are perfectly positioned to step up, particularly in rural settings where access to primary care is underserved.
The National Community Pharmacists Organization (NCPA) has reported that a substantial number of Americans are left with their local pharmacy as their only — and best — option. Roughly 21% of the nation's more than 14,800 ZIP codes are served exclusively by local pharmacies, providing a critical safety net for those at risk.
Preparations For Rapid Vaccine Deployment
Talk at the federal level has centered on "warp speed" efforts to accelerate the development of a Covid-19 vaccine by the beginning of next year. Should one pass through the clinical trial and manufacturing phases, it's reasonable to predict that pharmacies will be at the frontlines of distribution.
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) President and CEO Steven Anderson has said, as cited in the link above, government planning will likely draw heavily "on the strength of chain pharmacies, pharmacists, and private sector distribution channels," suggesting that "with more than 60,000 community pharmacies nationwide — in which nearly 90% of all Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy — pharmacists stand ready to support Operation Warp Speed's efforts to safely and efficiently bring the Covid-19 vaccine to the American public."
Pandemic Response And Mitigation Strategies
Flattening the curve is a start, but long-term collaboration among all stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels will be required as the nation moves forward with implementing and sustaining coronavirus community testing, contact tracing and immunization strategies to scale. The NACDS agrees, citing a CDC study that found retail pharmacies would be capable of helping vaccinate 80% of the population, seven weeks sooner than would otherwise be possible.
"States should proactively plan ahead by authorizing pharmacists to initiate treatment as recommended by the CDC," NACDS said, as cited in the article linked above. "[They] should also take actions to authorize pharmacists to provide treatment and Covid-19 pandemic vaccines to citizens when appropriate, aligned with the CDC's pandemic plans that rely on pharmacies to scale the direct distribution of forthcoming vaccines."
Perhaps even more importantly, the NACDS recommends harnessing the power of private and public partnerships to create a national program that supplies a single access point for contact tracing data. The organization notes there is a precedent for it, as embodied in existing contact tracing models related to the spread of Hepatitis C and HIV.
Digital Prescription Technology
These days, most of us don't even think twice when we receive a text notification or automated phone call about a prescription being ready for pickup. Digital prescription technology has been in use for many years, leaving no question about its efficacy. One study published in Perspectives in Health Information Management reported 60% of respondents said e-prescribing improved the care they received from pharmacists. And, in a corresponding CVS Health poll, more than a third said automatic reminders would encourage them to fill prescriptions more frequently.
That last point is intriguing, especially in light of the pandemic. Imagine receiving text notifications six weeks out from your last negative Covid-19 test, potentially asking questions like "Do you currently feel feverish?" and/or "Are you experiencing any flu-like symptoms?" The system could be configured through an online portal, website or app, providing an easy way to update your medical history or even direct you to treatment options right from your smartphone.
An Early Vision Of The Other Side
The benefits to formerly hospitalized patients, essential workers with or without symptoms, residents of long-term facilities, and employees in close-quartered processing facilities are practically incalculable. Of course, not everyone is at equal risk. So, pharmacy-delivered technology of this description could be invaluable when setting out potential infection zones with varying degrees of risk — perhaps even sending users an alert when entering an area with heightened concern — one that might remind the recipient of the added need to "maintain social distancing" or "wear a facial covering."
All of us are anxiously hoping for a return to normalcy. The sooner testing expands to recommended levels, the sooner we can get a grip on what's an acceptable risk and what's not. Use your head, and if you don't like what you see, use your feet.
This is your window of opportunity.
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
