What is decentralized pharmacy services?

Answer 1

Pharmacy services that are located away from the main or central pharmacy. They are usually seen in a hospital setting. For example, there are some hospitals that have the big pharmacy located on one floor and then have little pharmacies located in specialty care areas like OR, Pediatrics, Oncology, Day Surgery, etc. These satellite pharmacies usually carry drugs that are only relevant for their specialty care area. For example, the OR pharmacy will mainly carry drugs that are used for anesthesia, meds to get reverse anesthesia if there is a problem, and pain meds. Oncology will mainly carry meds that are used to treat cancer, pain, and any side effects of the oncology meds. Decentralized Pharmacy Services also include the automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) like the Pyxis machines located in the med rooms on all the patient care areas (hospital floors where patients are located). These are stocked, restocked, and maintained by the main pharmacy, but it brings the medications closer to the nurses and patients that need them rather than waiting for the main pharmacy to send each and every dose of medication to each patient for the entire hospital.

Answer 2

Decentralized pharmacy services refer to a model where pharmacy-related tasks and services are distributed across different locations, rather than being centralized in a single physical pharmacy. This can involve utilizing remote or virtual pharmacies, online prescription services, or pharmacists working in non-traditional settings such as clinics or community health centers. The aim is to improve access, convenience, and efficiency in delivering pharmaceutical care to patients.