TelePharm pharmacy coming to Atlanta, early 2016

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[September 15, 2015]  ATLANTA - A pharmacy is coming to Atlanta, with plans to open in early 2016.

This addition to Atlanta’s business community will be a “telepharmacy”. A telepharmacy works similarly to other pharmacies: when a customer arrives at the store, a certified pharmacy technician will greet them and fill their prescription, just as they would in any other pharmacy. The only difference is that the registered pharmacist who serves the business is located in a remote location.

When customers want to speak with the registered pharmacist, they will use a private video screen at the pharmacy to have a live video conversation with the pharmacist who will answer their questions and provide counseling on their medications.

The technological support behind this process involves an online platform that allows for the remote management of pharmacies - which means a registered pharmacist in one location can remotely monitor and manage other pharmacies. Telepharmacy is an innovative business solution designed to help rural communities unable to support a pharmacy by themselves.

Like many other small, rural communities, Atlanta lost its pharmacy several years ago. Plans for bringing one back began this past May when representatives from TelePharm, the Iowa-based company that will operate the new Atlanta Pharmacy, met with the Logan County Economic Development Partnership (LCEDP) to gauge community interest in having a pharmacy in Atlanta.

The LCEDP is also working with TelePharm and the City of Mount Pulaski to investigate the possibility of returning a pharmacy to that community. Those plans continue.

The Atlanta Pharmacy will be located in downtown Atlanta, next door to the Atlanta SuperValu grocery store, at 109 SE Vine Street. It will have its own front door entrance, and it will be accessible from inside the SuperValu grocery store. The Atlanta Pharmacy will primarily offer prescription medications, with the Atlanta SuperValu grocery store providing over-the-counter medications, greeting cards, etc.

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Along with dispensing prescriptions, the Atlanta Pharmacy plans to add medication therapy management, immunization clinics, and health education sessions covering topics like heart health, bone health, and diabetes. The Atlanta Pharmacy will focus on community health and hold monthly events to educate residents on preventive health practices. The standard operating hours of the pharmacy will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Additional evening and weekend hours may be added if there is sufficient patronage during these times.

TelePharm is interested in hiring locally to staff the Atlanta Pharmacy. Certified pharmacy technicians interested in growing a career with an innovative pharmacy company should email resumes and cover letters to careers@telepharm.com or contact the Logan County Economic Development Partnership.

The grand opening of the pharmacy will be coming the beginning of 2016.

Additional information regarding the TelePharm company is available at its website: www.telepharm.com.

[Bill Thomas, Logan County Economic Development Partnership]

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