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Inspired by a clinical rotation with
HIV-infected patients, Worcester, Mass., pharmacist and entrepreneur Daniel
Apelian founded AllCare Pharmacy specifically to provide medication management
for patients with chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Based on
his knowledge of the community he served, Apelian developed a business model
that met the distinct needs of his clients.
AllCare Pharmacy carries a full
stock of HIV and hepatitis C medications and provides pharmacists specially
trained in infectious disease. The pharmacy also provides door-to-door delivery
by trained, in-house drivers. Other aspects of his model include a “thorough
intake process, close pharmacist follow-ups, and medication compliance
packaging.” AllCare purchased an automation machine that allows pharmacists to
pre-package prescriptions into daily doses that are sealed, perforated, and
stamped with drug names and administration times. This is helpful especially
for hepatitis C- and HIV-infected patients taking an average of 15 medications
daily.
AllCare Pharmacy services also works
with case managers to enroll patients in the HIV Drug Assistance Program and
connects patients with manufacturer support programs when they need gap
coverage or co-pay assistance. As vice president of the board for AIDS Project Worcester
(APW), Apelian also has all pharmacy employees trained in APW services.
AllCare Pharmacy, which also serves
as a neighborhood pharmacy, has grown to 35 employees. The AllCare Plus
Pharmacy, which has a similar model, serves the rest of Massachusetts, and
Apelian anticipates the company might expand to provide comparable services
nationwide.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
