Pharmacy Software Partner Integrations

Running a successful independent pharmacy involves many moving parts.  One of the most important is a robust pharmacy management system.  For a pharmacy software vendor to offer you the best pharmacy system, they must work collaboratively with a variety of integrated vendor partners.

The best pharmacy software vendors will offer a long list of available partner integrations, many of which are included at no additional cost.  Let’s take a look at some of the most important pharmacy software partner integrations.

Electronic Prescribing

Perhaps one of the most important vendor partner integrations is with an electronic prescribing platform.  Surescripts is, without a doubt, the largest network for e-prescribing industry-wide.  The best pharmacy software systems will offer an integration with Surescripts for your pharmacy to be able to receive electronic prescriptions. In addition to receiving electronic prescriptions, your pharmacy management system should also enable you to send out electronic refill requests, RX change requests, and receive cancel requests from providers. Datascan was one of the very first pharmacy management systems to adopt electronic prescribing as well as get certified for electronic prescribing of controlled substances.  We were among the first to partner with Surescripts over a decade ago!

Drug Databases

Pharmacy software systems are there to help you run your pharmacy efficiently – every single day.  An integration with a comprehensive drug database is essential to be certain you have the most up-to-date and accurate drug information in your pharmacy software system. Having up-to-date drug information such as AWP pricing, auxiliary labeling, and DUR checking makes sure that you’re reimbursed properly for prescriptions and also properly scans patient prescriptions for any potential interactions or allergies.  Datascan has had a long-standing relationship and exclusively worked with the Medi-Span database system, which has proven to be one of the most accurate and up-to-date products on the market in our industry for pharmacy system drug data.

Switch/Clearinghouse Vendors

For any independent pharmacy processing prescriptions to an insurance plan, they must do so through a switch or clearinghouse. All pharmacy management systems have partnerships with different switch vendors to allow your pharmacy to transmit prescriptions to insurance plans.  The best pharmacy software systems will be integrated with several switch vendors.  Pharmacy PSAO networks and reconciliation vendors often capture data from switch companies, but many have preferred partnerships.  For your pharmacy to have the ability to choose whichever vendors you’d like, your pharmacy software vendor must have several switch partner integrations. Datascan has long partnered with Relay Health, which is now called Cover My Meds as its primary switch vendor.  We also are connected with RXLinc, and Optum which is formerly Emdeon or Change Healthcare for pharmacy clearinghouse switching.

Wholesaler Partner Integrations

Managing and maintaining inventory in an independent pharmacy can be tricky, but your pharmacy software can help simplify the process.  The best pharmacy management systems offer partner integrations with wholesalers to help streamline your inventory management.  This includes sending purchase orders to your vendors, as well as uploading invoices into your pharmacy system. Through EDI and wholesaler integration, your pharmacy software can update your inventory and also update your acquisition costs every single day. Datascan’s pharmacy software is connected with hundreds of vendors through EDI to automatically update your inventory and drug costs daily, saving your pharmacy staff hours each day.  Whether you are working with Cardinal, McKesson, Amerisource Bergen, or a smaller drug/OTC wholesaler, if they offer electronic purchase ordering, Datascan can connect for all of your EDI transactions.

Merchant Processing/Credit Cards

One key component of running an independent pharmacy is managing a front end, to not only sell OTC products but also to ring up and collect patient copays.  Now more than ever, most customers use credit cards or contactless payment solutions.  The best pharmacy management systems and POS systems offer integrated merchant processing so that you can charge customers quickly and efficiently, right in your point-of-sale system. Datascan offers a unique relationship and promises not to raise your credit card processing fees unless mandated by Visa/MC or Amex.  Our relationships guarantee the best processing fees, while also allowing us to handle any issues you may encounter with today’s modern credit card tablets.  Whether it be EMV-related, FSA/HSA card issues, or encryption problems, we have you covered.

Delivery Systems and Shipping

Most independent pharmacies offer additional methods for prescription pickup such as home delivery or shipping services.  Though Datascan offers its own robust, feature-packed delivery application, many pharmacies opt to work with a delivery courier to outsource deliveries and also ship medications to patients.  The best pharmacy systems offer additional delivery systems and shipping options through software partner integrations.  This includes vendors like RX2Go, Xpress RX Delivery, UPS, FedEx, Stamps.com, and Endicia – Datascan works with them all.

Scales and Pill Counters

Simplifying your workflow and building adherence into your pharmacy is important.  The best way to do this is by taking advantage of the features built into your pharmacy software and working together with integrated software partners when you can. Independent pharmacies that offer compounded medications can increase efficiency by connecting their digital scales directly to their pharmacy management software.  This allows them to record and track measured weights and helps ensure accuracy in their compounding.  Additionally, pharmacies can help reduce dispensing errors by connecting their pill counting machines, such as an Eyecon or Vivid machine, to their pharmacy software system. Datascan offers multiple interfaces so you can choose the scale or pill counter that works best for you.

Dispensing Robots

Many busy independent pharmacies find huge benefits from using a dispensing robot.  Not only do these machines offer time saving convenience, they also help boost accuracy and efficiency in your pharmacy.  Robotic dispensing machines can also help reduce staff costs.  Datascan offers several integration options with the most popular dispensing systems such as Parata, Scriptpro, RX Safe, and Kirby Lester.

IVR Systems

An IVR system helps manage the influx of calls into your independent pharmacy.  Incorporating an IVR can reduce the amount of time pharmacy staff spends on the phone for things like basic questions about hours and store location and even submitting refill requests.  Integrated IVR systems take refill numbers and input them directly into your filling queue in your pharmacy management system. Datascan offers integrations with several IVR partners.  Datascan integrates with VOW/Digital Pharmacist, AIS, and Medtel, giving pharmacy owners options to choose the best IVR package for their pharmacy.

Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMARs)

LTC Pharmacies really must be connected to eMAR vendors to streamline the process of filling orders for patients in the long-term care facility.  eMAR integrations support the pharmacies’ ability to send prescription details directly to the facility, without needing a fax or verbal order.  The facility is then able to download and print a medication administration chart, or MAR, right from its electronic data system.  The best pharmacy systems offer a multitude of integrated partners.  Datascan has over 15 different connected eMAR vendors, making it one of the most robust software options for independent pharmacy.

Final Thoughts

The list is endless when it comes to pharmacy software partner integrations.  From switching and electronic prescribing to credit card processing and data feeds, the best pharmacy software vendors offer a variety of integration options to help you run an efficient pharmacy. It is important to work with a pharmacy management software vendor that has many software partner integrations available, and is also open to new partnerships should the need arise in the future.