WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Dispensing drugs via video

Plainfield, Vermont - May 19, 2011

Video-screen technology is helping Jay Copeland get the medicine he needs.

"It is easier, quicker, saves money, saves time," he said.

Copeland is one of nearly 30 customers who are having their prescriptions filled at the Community Health telepharmacy in Plainfield every week.

"Before this you would pick up the prescription you would have to drive 10 miles, you know, go to one of the bigger stores," Copeland said.

The pharmacy uses teleconference technology to allow customers to pick up their medicine close to home, working with a pharmacist based in Colchester. The prescription is sent to a pharmacy technician working in Plainfield, then it's dispensed from a machine, scanned for accuracy and handed over to the customer in about 15 minutes.

"The medications that we dispense are the types of medications that are needed immediately such as antibiotics or someone who is just starting on their blood pressure medication and they need to get started right away," pharmacist Jennifer Browe said.

The telepharmacy is part of a pilot program in Vermont. It's aimed at meeting patient needs where they live when a full-time pharmacist is not an option. Community Health has a second location in the works for Hardwick. The state's Board of Pharmacy is keeping a close watch on whether the new concept is working.

"They want to make sure that the pharmacy practice is safe, that licensed and qualified pharmacists are overseeing the operation and that the public is protected," said Chris Winters, the director of the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation.

Copeland is not reporting any problems. He says he doesn't miss seeing a pharmacist in person.

"I don't feel that is always true, they can answer a lot of your questions here, you can also look a lot of things up online now," he said.

Still providing that one-on-one contact is something the program is trying to tackle. Customers are required to use the video screens to talk with a pharmacist before they go home with their meds.

"You don't get the touch and feel of the actual handshake but you get that face-to-face interaction," Browe said.

While that interaction may not be in person, the pharmacists leading the effort say it's pretty close.

Browe said, "By the second or third time you see them on the video, it's hey Mrs. Smith, how are you doing, how is your daughter?"

It's service matching a name with a face with help of modern technology.

The telepharmacy in Plainfield has been up and running for two and a half years. Right now the staff is being trained for the new site slated to open in Hardwick sometime next week. Danville and Concord may also see telepharmacies in the future.

Keith McGilvery - WCAX News