In a move that redefines accessibility in rural healthcare, Fish River Rural Health is proud to announce the launch of three new state-of-the-art clinic-based pharmacies this month at each of its clinic locations: Eagle Lake, Fort Kent, and Madawaska.
Fish River Rural Health holds a strong reputation to address service gaps with a proactive approach within the St. John Valley region.
Fish River Rural Health bridges healthcare gaps in St. John Valley communities by offering clinic-based pharmacy model by offering affordable and convenient pharmacy access. This thoughtful setup not only leverages the familiarity and trust of FRRH’s integrated model approach to healthcare, but it also heightens availability to pharmacy services.
(Courtesy of Fish River Rural Health)
FRRH performs annual patient satisfaction surveys to listen to community voices. Patients have expressed dissatisfaction with recent changes to the local pharmacy landscape. Clinic-based pharmacy investment is a testament to listening to the needs of the respective service area.
“Retail pharmacy presents significant challenges, but federally qualified health centers provide a proven, sustainable pharmacy model,” said registered pharmacist Janice Collins, FRRH’s director of pharmacy. “Fish River Rural Health’s commitment to bringing this model to the St. John Valley, giving patients access and alternatives, is a tremendous benefit to the community I am proud to call home.”
To align with Fish River’s same-day access to primary care services, clinic-based pharmacies host the same convenience, which allows patients to refill prescriptions at the clinic location they receive their care at, especially if the same-day availability is at an alternate clinic site than they typically receive their healthcare from. Patient prescription records are securely available across all FRRH clinic-based pharmacy locations, allowing the medication history to follow the patient instantly.
(Courtesy of Fish River Rural Health)
“FRRH’s vision has always been to meet patients where they are,” said Heather A. Pelletier, FRRH executive director. “By the agency embedding comprehensive pharmacy services within clinic settings, we are bringing pharmacy into a space people already know and trust. Clinic-based pharmacy personnel are additional care team members that work alongside your primary care team for personalized healthcare. Fish River Rural Health provides healthcare by prioritizing the people we serve with a focus on accessibility, affordability and quality.”
