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United Drugs Presents Pharmacist I.R. Patel with the Michael L. Huston Award
Bi-Rite Quality Pharmacy Reaches Quality Milestone
Using Innovation’s PharmASSIST Symphony+ Technology
Southern California Independent Has Processed Approximately 180,000 Prescriptions Without an Error
JOHNSON CITY, NY – October 7, 2008 – Innovation, makers of PharmASSIST® pharmacy automation solutions, today announced that Bi-Rite Quality Pharmacy of La Habra, California has processed approximately 180,000 error-free prescriptions over a three-year period using the firm’s PharmASSIST Symphony+® system. Bi-Rite Quality Pharmacy fills an average of 5000 prescriptions monthly using Innovation’s combined workflow management and counting technology.
“I invested in Innovation’s technology to enhance our workflow, ensure filling accuracy, and make sure we were always compliant with claims processing for the Medi-Cal Program,” said I.R. Patel, R.Ph. and owner, Bi-Rite Quality Pharmacy. “Since we installed the Symphony+ system over three years ago, we have not had one drug error, not one misfill, not one customer coming back to say they have the wrong medication.”
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, and similar to all third party plans, pharmacies must submit insurance claims monthly for Medi-Cal members who receive prescriptions from their pharmacies. Patel said because of his pharmacy’s use of Symphony+, they are always 100% compliant with Medi-Cal, which requires that pharmacies always bill the correct NDC. “We’re always fully compliant because every single prescription we fill goes through the stringent checks and balances of our system, and everything is bar coded,” said Patel.
Patel, who serves on various boards and chair committees for pharmacy organizations (Indian Pharmacists Association (IPA) of California, California Pharmacists Association and the Academy of Pharmacy Owners), said his pharmacy fills over 200 prescriptions per day and reaches peaks of approximately 350 prescriptions daily. The PharmASSIST Symphony+ system is the focal point of Bi-Rite’s prescription fulfillment process, driving their workflow and providing comprehensive prescription tracking and problem management. The system’s counting technology automates the counting of the pharmacy’s top-moving and most costly medications. Symphony+ is seamlessly integrated with their QS/1 pharmacy management system and Voice-Tech IVR for refill processing.
Other key benefits of the technology, according to Patel, are stress reduction and peace of mind. “Typically a pharmacy's ‘Out’ (pick-up) window is the most stressful area to man, because of possible customer issues. In my pharmacy, it’s the opposite. My staff has complete access to every prescription's status with one mouse click, and can calmly explain what’s going on with their prescriptions. This not only brings peace of mind to my staff, the customer very much appreciates it.”
“I.R. Patel is a true leader in the independent pharmacy community,” said Doyle Jensen, executive vice president, Innovation. “We’re honored that he chose to partner with Innovation and has achieved such great success on his various quality initiatives.”
About Innovation Associates
Innovation Associates, Inc., a leader in the world of automated prescription dispensing, offers the PharmASSIST family of products to address the prescription growth, quality assurance, pharmacy workflow, and cost control challenges of all size pharmacies. With over three decades of broad-based, business experience, Innovation Associates is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality pharmacy automation products to the pharmacy industry. For more information on
Innovation Associates, Inc., visit www.innovat.com.
627 Field Street, Johnson City, New York 13790
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