Jean Coutu preps customers, pharmacists for expanded services
LONGUEUIL, Quebec — Jean Coutu has taken steps to prepare its customers and pharmacists for the expanded services the pharmacy can now provide with the implementation of Bill 41, which amends the Pharmacy Act.
“We look forward to our new responsibilities in making patients’ lives easier. We have directed our efforts to help them understand the new services. We also have developed the tools required to coach pharmacists in the integration of these new disciplines as part of their existing services”, said Richard Mayrand, EVP pharmacy and government affairs with The Jean Coutu Group.
New services include:
Extending doctor's prescriptions
Prescribing medications for certain specific situations
Prescribing medications for certain conditions for which customers have already received a doctor's prescription
Substituting medications in case of a supplier inventory shortage
Administering medications in order to demonstrate its administration method
Adjusting the form, dosage, quantity or dose of a prescription
Prescribing certain laboratory tests related to medications
The Jean Coutu Group has set up a dedicated section on its website where consumers can learn about the new services and how these will be completed during their visits to a pharmacy. A form also is available to help patients get better prepared before meeting their pharmacist.
In addition, a training session, certified by the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec, has been developed by the Jean Coutu Group and is available on the website for all the network laboratory staff. The RxPro pharmacy support software, exclusive to Jean Coutu, also has been upgraded to incorporate the new disciplines in order to streamline in-store operations.