Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

Pharmacy

 

Virginia Garcia offers on-site pharmacies at Center locations in Beaverton, Cornelius, Hillsboro and McMinnville. Each pharmacy is staffed with one full time pharmacist and two pharmacy technicians. We offer comprehensive pharmaceutical care that includes helping our patients who need financial assistance with patient assistance programs. At Virginia Garcia, we believe that having on-site pharmacies helps our patients to overcome barriers to access in getting the medications they need, when they need them.

 

Virginia Garcia's Clinical Pharmacy Program

It was just over six years ago that Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center opened its first pharmacy at VG Cornelius.  At that time, prescriptions written at the other Virginia Garcia clinics were faxed to Cornelius, filled, then couriered back to the clinic of the prescribing physician for dispensing. Today, there are pharmacies on site at four clinics, with a clinical pharmacy program under the direction of pharmacy director, Christine Hicks.

“We fill on average 11,000 prescriptions per month,” said Hicks.  “Needless to say, having pharmacies on site at the clinics makes a huge difference.”

Not only do on site pharmacies have a big impact on efficiency, they also provide for much better patient tracking and safety.  When physicians have access to information on all of the medications a patient is taking, they can look out for possible adverse drug combinations; pharmacists can provide additional safety screening; and case managers can track whether their patients are taking their medications as prescribed.

“If you look at how a pharmacy program fits into the overall health of our patients, it’s clear that we need to follow what they do between visits to the clinics to achieve the best outcomes,” said Hicks. “It’s the reason Virginia Garcia has really pursued grants to open pharmacies at each clinic.  It translates to better patient care.”

Last summer, Virginia Garcia received a grant to hire Dr. Sarah Deines, a clinical pharmacist, to provide clinical pharmacy services at the VG Hillsboro clinic . In addition to working with clinic pharmacies, Dienes is participating in a two-year patient safety program as part of a national collaboration.  She has targeted a group of high risk patients and works closely with them to understand and manage their medications and counsel them on lifestyle and routines. Patients also receive follow up calls from a pharmacy technician. In March, Christine and Sarah presented their findings as part of the Patient Safety and Clinical Services Collaborative to the American Pharmaceutical Association in Washington D.C.

“One of our goals is to find a way for the clinical pharmacy program to pay for itself.  We would like to be recognized with provider status by insurance companies so we can bill as providers.” For several years, Virginia Garcia pharmacies have been part of Pfizer’s Sharing the Care program. Patients below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for Pfizer medications at minimal costs. 

“Recently, we had a patient who needed special medication for clotting before she could undergo dental surgery,” said Hicks.  “We called the drug manufacturer and were able to get this expensive medication for her for only $10.  We do a lot to make sure our patients get the best for the lowest cost.”