A History of Meeting New Challenges
Brett Kappelmann, PharmD and owner of Cooper Drug Store and Golden Plains Pharmacy Services, is securing new business with a simple medication adherence program with a focus on chronic disease medication adherence.
With chronic diseases accounting for eight of the 10 leading causes of death in Kansas, Brett needed a way to help improve patient outcomes for its chronic disease patients with complicated medication regimens.
Cooper Drug Store has served Augusta, Kansas, since 1922. Brett took over the family business in 2005 and continues to honor his father’s legacy of community and old-fashioned service — with a modern spin and a focus on patient care.
Chronic diseases account for eight of the 10 leading causes of death in Kansas. In 2010, Kansas spent nearly $26 billion on health care with chronic disease costs accounting for almost $20 billion of that spending.
“Many of our patients are managing one or more chronic diseases,” Brett says. “Medication therapy plays a huge role in managing these conditions successfully, but most patients do not have an easy way to keep up with medications at home.”
Finding a Solution to Fit
Brett uses a medication adherence program with Parata PASS strip packaging to help patients manage even complex medication regimens with ease and confidence.
When a patient enrolls, Brett’s team conducts a comprehensive medication review and prepares a 28-day supply of medication.
The Future Looks to Growth
In less than a year, Brett has enrolled nearly 200 patients in the adherence program. Sixty percent are new to Cooper Drug Store because of the program.
“We add about five new patients each week,” Brett says. “We plan to increase that to 10 each week as word spreads and we become more efficient.”
Local home health agencies are the largest source of patient referrals. These agencies are not reimbursed for medication administration, but they are penalized if they’re unable to keep patients healthy at home. Brett’s program is the perfect tool to help prevent medication-related incidents or readmissions.
Brett has also been contacted by behavioral health facilities, chronic care physicians, family practitioners, caregivers and a local heart hospital — all asking if he can help support patient adherence.
According to 2010 data from the National Community Pharmacists Association, the average profit per prescription is $13.80. At this rate, 110 new patients taking an average of 12 medications results in a profit of nearly $220,000 each year.
“Right now, most independent pharmacists are concerned about their businesses’ future,” Brett says. “I’ve never been more optimistic about my pharmacy.”
Discover the solutions empowering Cooper Drug and learn how Parata can help your pharmacy.