Clinic Pharmacy Services

Most people think of a pharmacist as the individual behind the drug store counter who fills prescriptions. However, some pharmacists have completed advanced training to be able to provide a higher level of care for patients. This concept of a primary care pharmacist within the doctor's office delivering direct patient care is new to many.

Clinical pharmacists are an important part of the health care team in many of our Virginia Mason Franciscan Health primary care locations. As licensed practitioners with advanced training, clinical pharmacists provide a higher level of care for patients. Your doctor will always be the one to diagnose your condition, but if you have certain chronic conditions you may also have appointments with a primary care pharmacist in your doctor’s office.

Our primary care pharmacists can help our patients manage many conditions, such as:

• Anemia
• Asthma
• Anticoagulation drugs such as warfarin
• Blood clots
• High blood pressure
• Lipid issues
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Smoking cessation
• Pain

Your clinical pharmacist will work directly with you and your provider at your provider’s office or during a virtual visit. Clinical pharmacists have the training and credentials required to:

• Prescribe medications
• Order and review lab tests
• Monitor your progress
• Review and adjust your medications
• Identify medication side effects
• Teach you about your condition
• Update your electronic medical record
• Answer your questions

At every visit, whether in-person or virtual, your primary care pharmacist will enter key information from your appointment into your electronic medical record. This ensures that your doctor will always have up-to-the-minute information about your care.

At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we believe that embedding clinical primary care pharmacists in many of our doctors' offices provides our patients with even better access to great care. And our ongoing patient satisfaction surveys show that our patients agree.

The pharmacist at your local drug store is still the person who will be filling your prescriptions. Increasingly, you may also see signs in your drug store offering similar services.

But here's the difference: While the pharmacists who fill your prescriptions can offer advice on medications and even make recommendations to your doctor, they cannot prescribe medications themselves or make changes to your current medications. Nor do they have access to your medical records.

Studies have found that people who meet with a pharmacist to manage their medications have lower health care costs, fewer hospitalizations and trips to the emergency department and improved management of chronic health conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

Research shows that medication management services provided by a clinical pharmacist can help patients:

• Reduce their systolic blood pressure
• Decrease hemoglobin A1C
• Reduce LDL cholesterol
• Significantly reduce health care costs

If your doctor refers you to a primary care pharmacist, you’ll still come to the clinic for those appointments. And, of course, you’ll still see your doctor as needed. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we’re committed to providing the best possible access to great patient care, and we look forward to helping you stay healthy.

If you would like more information on clinical pharmacy services, please call your primary care clinic. Your doctor can also refer you to a primary care pharmacist virtual visit.

• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion - Bainbridge Island: 206-842-5632
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion - Bellevue: 425-637-1855
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion - Federal Way: 253-838-2400
• Virginia Mason Medical Center (Seattle): 206-223-6600
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion - Issaquah: 425-557-8000
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion - Kirkland: 425-814-5100
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion - Lynnwood: 425-712-7900
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion - University Village: 206-525-8000