PrescribeWellness CPA now available in 19 states

IRVINE, Calif. — PrescribeWellness earlier this week announced that their Collaborative Practice Agreement is now available in 19 states across the country. Partner pharmacies in these states can now administer vaccinations without a prescription from a doctor — an important step in reducing the number of adults who are not being properly immunized each year.



“Once limited to filling prescriptions and dispensing drugs, pharmacists are increasingly providing direct care to patients,” stated Al Babbington, CEO of PrescribeWellness. “Community pharmacies are foot soldiers on the healthcare front line, providing collaborative care and reversing the epidemic of population health issues — including diabetes, obesity, opioid abuse, screenings and immunizations — and we are proud to be supporting them in these efforts.”



According to the CDC, American adults are behind on routine annual vaccinations. Although there have been modest increases in adults over the age of 19 being vaccinated for Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough) and senior citizens being vaccinated for shingles, other rates of immunization are still far below what they should be.



For example, more than half of American adults do not receive their flu vaccine each year. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, this causes a $10 billion drag on the economy annually, as people unnecessarily suffer from preventable illnesses — like the flu — and miss five or six days of work as a result.



A recent PrescribeWellness survey revealed that more than half of Americans (55%) prefer to be immunized at their local pharmacies instead of at the doctor’s office. This included 28% of parents who prefer getting the whole family immunized at once.



For other Americans, the reasons hinged upon convenience:

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  Their pharmacy is a “one-stop shop” for many health and wellness needs — 26%;


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  The local pharmacy is easier to get to than the doctor’s office — 24%;


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  They get faster (23%) and friendlier (22%) service; and


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  Their pharmacist helps keep their medications in order — 19%.