Pharmacies are considered outlets to receive medication or drugs. This transaction requires regulation, as some medicines can be bought and used easily (over-the-counter or non-prescription), others are purchased from a Pharmacist (Pharmacy only) and others are restricted by having a valid prescription.
Value-Added Services by pharmacies (VASp) introduced in Malaysian public health facilities improve the medicine collection process by clients. These services include; a Drive-through pharmacy, Medicine by Post, SMS Take&Go, Appointment Card and Medibox (a medicine locker).
Ghanaian Pharmacists face challenges that have affected such innovative strategies. The inadequate number of well-trained support staff with a very conservative clientele base affects how innovative pharmacies operate.
In Malaysia, VASp refers to pharmaceutical activities or practices initiated by pharmacists to improve medication refill processes, reduce waiting time and increase patient convenience.
Pharmacies can generate revenue through various channels such as Value-Added Services, Over-The-Counter (OTC) products, prescription drugs, medical equipment and supplies, and beauty and personal care products. By offering products and services, pharmacies can maximize their revenue potential.
There is much room for very innovative products and services by pharmacies in Ghana, such that the community served will equally accept or patronise such value-added services.
The key will be to tailor-make the service. It is worth indicating that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which picked up numerous awards during its early stages, could have been a catalyst for pharmacies to generate innovative products.
Community pharmacies in Europe have evolved beyond dispensing medication. They now provide value-added services that benefit their business revenue and the well-being of their clients and the public. These services aim to improve patient outcomes, enhance patient experience, increase patient engagement and optimise health outcomes.
Value-added services in community pharmacies fall into three main areas; medication management services, health promotion campaigns and clinical services.
Medication management services help individuals manage their medications effectively and safely. They include medication reviews, adherence support and prescription ordering and delivery.
Medication reviews involve comprehensive assessments of medications by pharmacists to identify issues; such as adverse reactions, drug interactions or incorrect dosages. Adherence support provides patients with tools and resources to help them take their medications correctly.
Prescription ordering became relevant during the pandemic, allowing patients to have their medications delivered to their homes and reducing the need for in-person visits to the pharmacy.
These medication management services are particularly beneficial for individuals with multiple chronic conditions, cognitive impairments or caregivers responsible for managing medications. Data exists about how pharmacists increase the profitability of health insurance outlets to ensure optimal patient/client care.
It is a matter of cost-benefit analysis. The money savings will be derived from improved medication adherence and reduced medication errors, reducing hospitalisation or emergency care.
Health promotion services aim to provide additional value to patients and improve their overall experience by promoting health and preventing illness.
These services include wellness programs like weight management and smoking cessation, blood pressure monitoring and cholesterol assessments, immunisations, health education and coaching, and community outreach programs.
By offering these services, pharmacies contribute to better health outcomes and promote health equity.
Clinical services, considered value-added services, can be improved when there is seamless coordination of care among healthcare providers. Pharmacies can collaborate with nurses, physicians and other specialists in healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to advance patient-centred medical care.
An example of clinical services includes mutti doctor by mPharma. These strategies promote patient education and support, multidisciplinary care, advanced diagnostics and rehabilitation and recovery. Remote consultations with healthcare providers save time and improve access to care.
The reproductive health service space or market has fraudulent agents. In particular, is that of aphrodisiacs where radio and public announcements suggest wild remedies that may never work. Innovative value-added services include spaces for people to divulge their sexual proclivities are very relevant.
Access to perfect unbiased sex education and opportunities to help educate about safe sexual practices and the like is a solution to the menace of this poorly regulated space. The challenge of clients having heavy internal dialogue before buying a pregnancy test kit persists in ways which are not beneficial.
Pharmacies are poised to have higher revenues, should such outlets create products that meet the needs of the community they serve on reproductive health services. There can also be 24-hour suicide clinics and child development clinics.
However, the Ghanaian healthcare system, including pharmacies, face several challenges in providing value-added services. These challenges include limited resources, insufficient skilled personnel, poor infrastructure, and regulatory obstacles. Inadequate resources hinder the ability of healthcare providers, including pharmacies, to invest in value-added services.
Additionally, the shortage of trained healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, makes it impossible to deliver high-quality care and introduce new services. Poor infrastructure and complex regulations also impair the development and implementation of value-added services in Ghanaian pharmacies.
Addressing the lack of value-added services in Ghanaian pharmacies requires collaboration among stakeholders, including the government, healthcare providers, and regulatory bodies.
Investments in human resources, infrastructure improvements, and streamlined regulatory processes can create an environment conducive to developing and implementing these services, leading to improved patient outcomes and overall population health.
University students are full of brilliant ideas. The Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Association (GPSA) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Students (IPSF) have showcased several instances of innovativeness.
The positive use of Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram proves there is an inherent potential for solutions in the future. There can be mini-hubs where students start interesting products as part of their training, learning from mistakes and refining products so that the moment they start their first jobs as pharmacists, they effect the innovations that will be needed.
In today’s world, adopting VASp improves health outcomes but helps healthcare providers differentiate themselves, enhance patient satisfaction, and maximise revenue.
By Portia Amoh and Yaw Ansiri Asafoakaa
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.
