Specialty Pharmacy Services Provide Better Care for Patients
June 8, 2019
By Marcello Bernardo
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Dr. Stewart Kennedy, EVP Medical, Academics, & Regional Programs at the Hospital and Dr. Nicole Laferriere, Chief of Oncology and Medical Director at Regional Cancer Care Northwest joined other Hospital staff to give media a first-hand look at the unique services provided by the Specialty Pharmacy. |
The Specialty Pharmacy at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (our Hospital), opened its doors to the media to give them a first-hand look at the unique services it provides.
“The Specialty Pharmacy at our Hospital allows us to enhance the quality of care and education that is provided to patients,” said Dr. Stewart Kennedy, EVP Medical, Academics, & Regional Programs at our Hospital. “This pharmacy carries specialized oncology drugs for cancer treatment that aren’t easily available at mainstream pharmacies, partly because they are often too expensive to routinely stock. Having the Specialty Pharmacy at our Hospital allows us to respond to these patient needs quickly and safely.”
In 2018, the Department of Pharmacy at our Hospital opened its own Specialty Pharmacy to provide patients with the medications they need without getting them delivered from out of town. This allows patients to get the medications they need faster, and they also have the opportunity to discuss the medications in-person with an oncology pharmacist so they understand how to take the medication, discuss any concerns about the medications, and get the follow-up they sometimes need. Drugs that reduce the side effects of chemotherapy are also available through the Specialty Pharmacy.
Renovations to the existing space in Regional Cancer Care Northwest were also needed to accommodate the new Specialty Pharmacy, though the overall costs came in well below budget.
Costs were kept low by recycling existing millwork, shelving and cabinets from other areas in our Hospital. This helped to create more space for staff to work and to store medications, and an enclosed consultation area to provide added privacy for patients.
The Specialty Pharmacy is located on Level 3 of Regional Cancer Care Northwest in our Hospital. The hours of operation are Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. They can be contacted by phone at (807) 684-7242 or via email at specialtypharmacy@tbh.net.