Telepharmacy—How Can Anastomos Help Physicians Join a Telepharmacy Portal?

 

 

 

Telepharmacy—How Can Anastomos Help Physicians Join a Telepharmacy Portal?

We hope you got that right; it's telepharmacy and not telemedicine that we are discussing today. The pharmaceutical industry has become stringent, banning drugs imposing regulations, and monitoring far more today than before. Conjointly, the adoption of telepharmacy as a career option has been lucrative for pharmacists and doctors alike. The rise of digital technology and remote healthcare demands the distribution of medicines and related paraphernalia to patients, hassle-free. Telepharmacy offers just that. Expecting a market size of 13.52 million by 2025, telepharmacy is here to stay and grow. 

 

The Top 5 Use Cases of Telepharmacy

Telepharmacy can be defined as the delivery of pharmaceutical care to patients remotely by utilizing telecommunications and information technology. It is best applied to the following healthcare organizations and companies:

• Independent corporate pharmaceutical retail chains

• Hospitals and healthcare organizations

• Specialty pharmaceutical services by cancer, HIV, and hepatitis clinics: This is one of the fastest-growing niches for telepharmcy jobs. It allows specialists/doctors to ensure that patients begin their prescribed medications promptly after discharge and helps them monitor the regular drug dosage and treatment adherence. 

• Mental health and rehab centers

• Senior care centers/old age homes

• Private medical practices

 

The Key Services of Telepharmacy—Those That Offer Roles to Doctors

Doctors in telepharmacy are not only plenty but key to its functioning. Let us explore the contributions of telepharmacy to remote digital patient care to substantiate telepharmacy as a career option for doctors.

 

• Patient consultations for minor issues

Telepharmacy platforms are a convenient option for quick medical advice without the need to travel to the clinic for trivial health issues, such as a cold, cough, mild fever, mild allergies, etc. Doctors improve access to care, reduce clinic wait times, and help manage patient loads more efficiently—remotely. They guide the patient on the right over-the-counter medication or simple prescriptions, maintaining continuity of care from a distance.

• Remote dispensing of drugs

This process involves prescribing and authorizing the release of drugs from a pharmacy to the patient in a secure and compliant manner. With remote dispensing, patients can access necessary medications without delay. Sometimes doctors are needed in addition to pharmacists to oversee that all safety protocols are followed and the correct medication is dispensed according to each patient's needs.

• Prescription verifications

Doctors work closely with pharmacists to verify prescriptions, ensuring the accuracy of medication, dosage, and frequency before it reaches the patient. They are an additional layer of WatchGuard to pharmaceutical safety. 

• Prescription refill authorization

Doctors review the patient's treatment plan and progress and then authorize prescription refills, This continues the care for patients on long-term medications. This also saves patients the time to book in-person appointments for repeat prescriptions; particularly beneficial for chronic conditions.

• Drug therapy monitoring

Doctors actively monitor patients' responses to prescribed medications, track any side effects, and make adjustments as needed. Regular check-ins via video or phone allow doctors to address any issues with therapy early on, enhancing patient adherence and treatment efficacy. 

 

 

Aspects of Telepharmacy That Offer Jobs to Doctors—Alone or in Collaboration with a Pharmacist

 

These are the possible avenues for approaching telepharmacy as a career option for doctors with or without a pharmacist.

• Independent telepharmacy or telepharmacy as a software solution

• Partnerships with Consulting Services for Telehealth Companies

• Healthcare Startups

 

The top Indian companies leading the way in the telepharmacy market, like Netmeds, Cipla, 1Mg, Pharmeasy, Medlife, Lupin, Benovymed Healthcare Private Limited, and more, are leading the way in the Indian healthcare jobs market and house many doctors and pharmacists. 

 

On another note, unlike the world leaders like Alto Pharmacy, HomeRx, Locke Bio, GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness, PipelineRx, Truepill, TelePharm (a Cardinal Health Company), etc. in India, telepharmacy faces significant regulatory challenges. 

 

Unlike many other countries, prescription, dispensing, monitoring, and refill rules are loosely enforced. Medications are often readily available over the counter, with little oversight on prescription validity or refill tracking. Prescriptions are seldom retained by pharmacies, leading to minimal regulation and oversight in dispensing. This regulatory gap affects patient safety and complicates the implementation of telepharmacy, which relies on strict adherence to these protocols to ensure safe and effective care. However, like the Digital Health Laws and Regulations, we hope to see this sector more organized sooner.

 

Can Anastomos Help Physicians Join a Telepharmacy Portal?

Yes. As India’s first healthcare providers’ network, ANASTOMOS is a cohort of healthcare professionals—over 1300 doctors and 120 healthcare organizations, with expertise in diverse fields. With a customized JOB BOARD for permanent and locum jobs, a LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT Section for upskilling, and a MARKETPLACE to find consultants, healthcare IT professionals, financial advisors, and health regulatory professionals, ANASTOMOS helps to find the telepharmacy as a career option for doctors.