SPEED DATING ON DRUGS

We just returned from the 2012 Fall Hospital Pharmacy Conference, sponsored by Health Connect Partners. The conference connects healthcare providers and suppliers through educational meetings conferences and networking so that providers learn real solutions and suppliers understand their real needs.

This year, the Fall Hospital Pharmacy Conference offered educational sessions on topics such as nuclear pharmacy, a fatal medication error, and healthcare business models. The conference is known for its innovative approach to supplier and health-system pharmacist networking, including a unique large scale Reverse Expo staffed by hospital pharmacy management. 

I like to think of the Reverse Expo as speed dating, because it offers us the rare opportunity to meet face-to-face with more than 200 pharmacists in the network for 5 minutes each. With so little time, we got right to the core of their problem or needs, without flirting around the issues.

The Reverse Expo lasts two hours per session, and we prepared in advance. We made sure to bring plenty of business cards, our best “elevator pitch” and a warm smile.

HERE'S WHAT WE LEARNED

Some of the critical issues we heard from pharmacists attending the show include the following: 

• They have trouble obtaining all the dosage forms they need in a unit dose form, with a readable barcode
• Drug shortages continue, especially liquid unit dose
• Some repackagers are experiencing very slow turnaround times
• Hospitals continue to struggle with the “make or buy” decisions

HERE'S HOW WE CAN HELP

Of course, we're prepared to help hospital pharmacies with questions and help, anytime.

We want to make pharmacy directors aware of Shamrock Medical Solutions, the FDA registered repackager. We also want pharmacy directors to know that we are specialists in repackaging unit dose liquids (cups and syringes) as well as oral solids, and that we produce robot ready unit doses as well as robot ready kits. Still have questions? Let us know. We're prepared to help you.

                                Here's to better solutions, 

                  Dave Bystrom