Hospitals Nationwide Bolster pharmacy Services Amidst Shifting Retail Landscape
Across the country, hospitals and health systems are increasingly establishing and expanding pharmacy services, responding to community needs and filling gaps left by closures in the retail pharmacy sector. These moves aim to improve patient access to medications, enhance care coordination, and offer thorough healthcare solutions.
Recent activity demonstrates a growing trend of hospitals taking a more direct role in pharmaceutical care. From multi-million dollar expansions to expedited builds following retail pharmacy closures, healthcare facilities are investing in both retail and inpatient pharmacy capabilities. Here’s a look at five recent developments:
1. OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital in Van Wert, Ohio, completed a $3.15 million pharmacy expansion project on September 17, doubling the facility’s size.
2. On September 5, the Cleveland Clinic announced the opening of a new community pharmacy at South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. The system now operates 27 retail pharmacies.
3. Southern Coos Hospital & Health Centre in bandon, Oregon, opened a retail pharmacy inside its multispecialty clinic in August.
4. Eastern Iowa Health Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, expedited its two-year plan to build a pharmacy after a nearby Hy-Vee location closed. The new pharmacy opened in August.
5. WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, recently completed renovations on its inpatient pharmacy, expanding the suite from 1,100 to 1,700 square feet and converting the IV room into a compounding suite.
