Rochester Regional Launches Integrated Pharmacy Service

Rochester Regional Health is launching an integrated specialty pharmacy service to further enhance care for its patients with chronic and complex conditions. The new Rochester Regional Health specialty pharmacy will begin supporting patients in the oncology and rheumatology clinics this summer.

Support for financial challenges

Patients across Western New York and the Finger Lakes region require specialty medications to manage cancer, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. Monthly out-of-pocket costs for these therapies can reach thousands of dollars, making it challenging for patients to afford vital treatments. Many patients also require ongoing support to successfully adhere to their therapy regimens and manage side effects.

Rochester Regional Health has designed its specialty pharmacy service to ensure patients receive the personalized support needed to overcome these challenges. Specialty pharmacy team members will be embedded directly into care teams to provide coordinated, personalized specialty pharmacy care to patients.

“By offering specialty pharmacy services in Rochester Regional Health clinics, our patients will have expanded access to high-quality, safe care that is personalized for their individual needs,” said Emily O’Banion, Senior Vice President of Integrated Health Care Delivery at Rochester Regional Health. “This program is another example of Rochester Regional’s steadfast commitment to providing comprehensive, integrated care for our patients and providers in convenient settings across Western New York and the Finger Lakes region.”

How it works

An integrated approach will reduce the burden that specialty medications create for patients. Pharmacists with advanced clinical training will offer patients in-person medication education and ongoing counseling to improve adherence. Dedicated pharmacy liaisons will manage financial assistance applications, insurance approvals, medication refills and more to ensure patients receive medications in a timely manner and have lower out-of-pocket costs.

The Rochester Regional Health specialty pharmacy will be developed and operated in partnership with Trellis Rx—a leading technology-enabled specialty pharmacy services provider. Services will be expanded to additional clinics throughout 2020 and 2021.