Marshall Health, in partnership with the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, the Marshall University School of Pharmacy and Cabell Huntington Hospital, has opened a new community pharmacy offering patients access to prescription medications at the Marshall University Medical Center.
Marshall Pharmacy is a convenient option for patients and the public visiting the health sciences campus, as well as hospital and medical center staff. It offers a full range of prescription medication services, including personalized pharmacist services, and carries limited over-the-counter medications and diabetic and medical supplies.
Future plans include delivering discharge medications to Cabell Huntington Hospital inpatients before they leave the hospital, and delivering prescription medications directly to patients upon leaving the doctor’s office.
The Marshall Pharmacy is staffed by professional registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and accepts most major prescription drug plans. There are plans to add additional insurance plans in the coming months.
“Marshall is continuing its commitment to our patients and our community by providing high quality pharmacy services at this new facility,” said Beth Hammers, executive director of Marshall Health. “Our on-site pharmacy is a tremendous asset for our patients and employees and will enhance the educational experience for our students at the Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine.”
In describing the new pharmacy and its educational impact, Dr. Kevin W. Yingling, dean of the School of Pharmacy, called it a key milestone in the growth of the health sciences programs at Marshall. He emphasized the impact of medication therapy management delivered by pharmacists in ambulatory practice settings has proven value for improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of this new venture, which allows better collaboration among physicians, pharmacists and other health care providers, which in turn provides interdisciplinary education that is absolutely crucial in today’s health care arena,” Yingling said. “Working as a team with our colleagues at the School of Medicine and Marshall Health enhances the experiences for all our students.”
Dr. Joseph I. Shapiro, dean of the School of Medicine, said the opening of the Marshall Pharmacy reflects the changing health care landscape.
“The collaborative effort among our university counterparts and our hospital partner is indicative of the relationships that must exist as we move forward in the health care arena,” Shapiro said. “These partnerships allow us to be more patient focused and deliver high-quality care for the region.”
“The new Marshall Pharmacy is a welcomed addition to our campus because it delivers an important health care service for our patients by making an easier transition from hospital to home,” said Kevin Fowler, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Cabell Huntington Hospital. “The pharmacy is easily accessible for patients attending appointments with their physicians at Marshall or picking up new medications following a hospital stay, and for patients receiving treatments at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center. The pharmacy offers patients a convenient option following procedures or treatments by eliminating an extra stop when they’re heading home to continue their recovery. This is a unique opportunity to provide patients with on-site education about their medications that coincides with the doctor’s visit, typically resulting in improved outcomes and safety.”
The Marshall Pharmacy is led by Brian Gallagher, R.Ph., JD, director of pharmacy services and Ben Kelly, R.Ph., the managing pharmacist. The service is located at the front entrance of the Marshall University Medical Center. It is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Patients may access pharmacy services by calling 304-691-6879 (MURx) or by visiting http://www.marshallhealth.org and selecting “Pharmacy” under “Services.” A smartphone app is also available for download through the iTunes® Store or Amazon’s Android app store.
