The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has released a new series of resources to help community-based pharmacists provide patient care services within the appointment-based model (ABM). When used as the foundation of pharmacy practice workflow, the ABM can proactively free up time for pharmacists to further grow relationships with their patients and use the clinical skills they’re highly trained to provide.  

“The ABM creates natural opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy team members to routinely identify and provide needed services to their patients,” said Thomas E. Menighan, BSPharm, MBA, ScD (Hon), FAPhA, APhA Executive Vice President and CEO. “APhA’s new resources meet pharmacists where they are by helping them tailor patient care services to their specific practice and patient population as part of the ABM.”  

Pharmacists are already familiar with medication synchronization (med sync), which simplifies medication refills and pick-up for patients with multiple chronic prescriptions. The core components of the ABM include med sync, a pre-appointment call a few days before prescription refills are due, and a designated appointment day for medication pick-up. Med sync or the ABM has been adopted by most national and regional chain community pharmacies and many independent community pharmacies. Any community-based pharmacy setting that dispenses medications can implement the ABM.   

Today, APhA is announcing a new series of practice guidances to help pharmacists integrate patient care services into their ABM workflow:  

• Leveraging the Appointment-Based Model to Expand Patient Care Services: Practice Guidance for Pharmacies. Guidance for any patient care service. 
• Moving Beyond Influenza: Practice Guidance for Expanding Pharmacy-Based Immunization Services Within the Appointment-Based Model. Guidance for immunization services. 
• Practice Guidance for Expanding Pharmacy-Based Tobacco Cessation Services within the Appointment-Based Model. Guidance for tobacco cessation services.  

Supporting resources include: 

• ABM Pharmacy Map. Is your pharmacy on the map? 
• Benefits of Medication Synchronization and the Appointment-Based Model. Learn why pharmacies are implementing the ABM. 
• Vaccine Considerations When Expanding Immunization Service Offerings. Understand the factors that could influence your decision to provide specific CDC-recommended vaccines in your practice.  

As the leading organization caring about pharmacists in all practice settings, APhA is committed to helping busy pharmacists find more time for meaningful interactions with patients and more career satisfaction. With these new resources from APhA, pharmacists can leverage the ABM to expand the patient care services they are highly trained to provide in their community-based pharmacy.