Pharmacists Playing Greater Role In Health Care

A non-profit health-care center in Ohio is changing the role pharmacists play in overall health.

Through an integrated service delivery model, Health Partners of Western Ohio has reduced hospital admission and re-admission rates among low-income patients. Spokesperson Jenny Clark.

Clark says the reductions were made by integrating medications and pharmacy services - such as patient and provider education, referrals and electronic health-care tracking. Clark says other pharmacies and health-care centers can replicate the model through staff education, direct patient education from a clinical pharmacist, offering access to affordable medications and coordinating care with other providers.