Growing an independent network

Measured by sheer number of stores in its service network, geographic reach and market penetration, Cardinal Health wields enormous clout as an independent pharmacy provider. The healthcare giant now distributes pharmaceuticals and provides marketing and support services to more than 8,400 independent pharmacies.

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“We’ve continued to grow our position with independent pharmacies and other pharmacy channels over the year,” Cardinal noted. “Our portfolio of solutions for these customers has never been more comprehensive, and the response of retailers has never been more enthusiastic. Our focus remains to help these critical members of the healthcare system improve patient care, broaden their products and services, and increase the efficiency and profitability of their businesses.”



One newer addition to that portfolio is a turnkey medication therapy management solution to help retail pharmacies boost patients’ prescription adherence rates and outcomes. “Our goal is to make it as easy and time efficient as possible for pharmacies to deliver the MTM services that address these important patient needs,” said Brad Tice, Cardinal’s MTM solution product leader.



Through the program, MTM-certified pharmacists from Cardinal act as an extension of a participating pharmacy’s team, working directly with patients on a comprehensive medication review and sharing the results with the pharmacy. Both patient and pharmacy are given a “medication action plan” that highlights recommended changes in therapy, adherence issues that need to be addressed through clinical intervention, suggestions for medications the patient should consider taking or stop taking and opportunities for generic substitutions, according to Cardinal.



Cardinal reported that “the more than 180 retail pharmacies that ... participated in the company’s pilot MTM program have delivered nearly four times as many comprehensive medication reviews as the industry average.”