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With the recent closure of Rite Aid pharmacies, many people are looking for alternatives to get their prescriptions filled. For patients at Allies for Health + Wellbeing, Allies Pharmacy offers convenience, cost savings and cultural competency.
Since Allies Pharmacy is in Allies’ office in East Liberty, people who visit Allies for their medical appointments – from primary care to PrEP to STI treatment – can grab their prescriptions immediately following their appointments, without having to make additional stops.
“The convenience factor has been really great for folks,” said Anthony, Allies’ pharmacist. “Immediately leaving their appointment and coming to pick up their scripts has been a huge incentive.”
Those who’d prefer to have their prescriptions delivered can get that through Allies Pharmacy, too.
“We do offer mail order, so if people don’t want to come to Allies to get their medication, we can definitely ship it out,” said Jacque DeRubbo, senior director of clinical services at Allies for Health + Wellbeing. “We do shipments Monday through Friday.”
Because Allies Pharmacy is just a few feet away from Allies clinic, the clinic, pharmacy and case managers easily and frequently work together to make sure that patients have everything they need when it comes to their medication.
“We have continuous, great communication between the providers, the staff and the pharmacy team for just about everything,” DeRubbo said. “That’s what makes us different from other pharmacies.”
That communication extends to the patient as well. Anyone with questions about their medication can talk to the Allies Pharmacy staff at any time. Patients can call the pharmacy at 412-643-3405 or stop by when they’re visiting Allies.
“We do frequent outreach to our patients,” Anthony said, noting that it’s important for people living with HIV to take their medications regularly to become virally suppressed.
“Our team is providing personalized interactions with any questions people may have about medications,” DeRubbo added.
For patients living with HIV, Allies Pharmacy offers financial assistance with copays. To be eligible, people just need to receive their HIV care at Allies’ clinic or receive case management at Allies.
“The convenience and the copay assistance is obviously a wonderful thing that people look forward to in these particularly difficult times,” Anthony said. “Saving a few bucks at the pharmacy has been a massive help for our patients.”
Patients at Allies Pharmacy also can count on interacting with a pharmacy team that understands them and their needs.
“We’re not your typical big box pharmacy,” DeRubbo said. “We have a very experienced pharmacy team with Anthony and Devon.”
The Allies Pharmacy staff are specially trained in the medications many Allies patients need, including those for PrEP, HIV, and hepatitis C. Additionally, Allies Pharmacy has earned accreditation with distinction in Infectious Disease Specific to HIV from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
But it isn’t just this specialized knowledge that sets Allies Pharmacy apart.
“Our level of cultural competency is much higher here than with regular pharmacies,” Anthony said. “Folks don’t have to worry about being deadnamed at the pharmacy or being questioned about their gender identity. We promote a very welcoming environment.”
Though Allies and Allies Pharmacy specialize in HIV care, patients can get all their medications at Allies Pharmacy – not just ones specific to HIV and HIV prevention.
And it’s easy to sign up for Allies Pharmacy if you’re already receiving care at Allies – just ask your provider, case manager or any Allies staff member, or stop by the pharmacy when you’re visiting Allies.
“On the patient’s end, it’s very simple,” DeRubbo said. “Just one call to the clinic or pharmacy can start the process. Even while they’re here, they can talk to any of the staff members. Let us know when they want to switch, then we start the ball rolling.”
Allies Pharmacy is located at Allies’ office in East Liberty and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pharmacy is closed between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. for lunch. To learn more or to sign up for Allies Pharmacy, visit alliespharmacy.org or call 412-643-3405.
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