Expanded pharmacy portfolio meets the needs of healthcare providers delivering highly specialized care
HealthPRO is pleased to announce the introduction of a new pharmacy business unit – Pharmacy Specialties – to focus on the contracting of specialized drugs. The new portfolio will be supported by a rigorous contracting and evaluation process designed to meet the specific needs of members working in fields such as paediatrics and oncology across Canada.
"Our Pharmacy Specialties unit will enhance member service and engagement for those working in increasingly complex areas of patient care," said Kathy Boyle, Vice President, Pharmacy Services at HealthPRO. "We will be also be receiving direct and meaningful input from members through the creation of two new advisory committees."
HealthPRO's Paediatrics Expert Advisory Committee will be responsible for addressing pharmaceutical product selection issues and supporting the evaluation of products to best meet the specific needs of paediatric patients. The committee will validate new and existing products to ensure that where possible, they do not contain ingredients such as alcohol, sugar, preservatives or dyes that may not benefit or be best used on paediatric patients.
HealthPRO has also established a Pharmacy Specialties Oncology Committee comprised of leaders and sector experts from some of Canada's largest healthcare organizations. The committee is responsible for customizing the contracting process to meet the diverse needs of members who use oncology products – from patient safety to occupational health issues.
HealthPRO, which manages the largest hospital pharmacy group purchasing volume in Canada, issued its first Request for Proposal (RFP) under this new service area in the fall of 2011 for oncology drugs and supporting care products.