Technology, personnel growth eyed

With its treasure-hunt style shopping and broad array of brand and private-label products at attractive prices, Costco has successfully carved out a unique business model that resonates with its 76 million cardholders. As the company continues to expand its merchandise offerings on the front end, its pharmacy operations remain a critical piece of the business.

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“I’m always on the lookout for models in which you can make the pharmacist more forward-facing. I feel like the future of the pharmacy will be more patient centered,” Michael Mastromonica, Costco’s assistant VP pharmacy services, told Drug Store News.



As healthcare reform gives rise to new models of care and new quality standards, Costco is stepping up to meet patient needs.



As part of the effort, Costco is preparing to implement in the pharmacy in the coming months a new technology tool for outcomes management, with a specific focus on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Star Ratings. The software will allow the retailer to, for example, identify those pharmacy patients who are at risk and nonadherent.



In addition, Costco is looking to hire a clinical pharmacist, who will be solely focused on outcomes opportunities and Star ratings.



Meanwhile, Costco’s travel medicine pilot continues to take flight. The program is currently in operation in about 18 beta sites along the West Coast, and will further expand to additional locations in 2015 and 2016.



Costco contracts with a physician group to handle the analytics and make the recommendations. Costco pharmacists administer the vaccines for its travel vaccination program.



The company also is looking to broaden its long-standing health screening initiative, which has included osteoporosis, cardiovascular and lung health screenings, to add A1C testing to the mix for those with diabetes.