| Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) November 16, 2006 - In the past decade, major pharmacy organizations have made a push for 'clinical pharmacy,' an outlook that encourages pharmacists to embody a patient-centered, outcomes-oriented practice of pharmacy. The acknowledgment of the pharmacist as a critical player on the healthcare team expands the role of the pharmacist from dispensing and compounding to an informational patient resource on medications. However, studies indicate that despite the pharmacist's desire to spend more time counseling patients rather than dispensing medications, oftentimes the overall workload of the pharmacist is not conducive to increase in time for direct patient consultation. FLAVORx's stream-lined system, combined with its 24 hour technical support not only provides pharmacists with an efficient methodology, but also provides a solution that allows pharmacists to consult their patients on ways to make medication use more effective.
Many pharmacy organizations have launched initiatives to redesign the practice of pharmacy in an effort to encourage pharmacists to provide consultation and expanded patient services. In discussing solutions and innovative practices for optimal therapy outcomes, pharmacists are able to foster the ultimate goal of increasing their visibility as a vital component of patient care.
A recent survey conducted by Pharmacy Times revealed that nearly 80% of pharmacists feel an obligation to inform a consumer that a medicine may be difficult to take because of taste. In line with the pharmacist's evolving role to spend more time in consultation and drug use management, offering FLAVORx allows pharmacists to provide patient solutions that improve medicinal compliance by improving the taste and smell of medications. Palatability alone can create additional stress on a patient and dictate their willingness to take a medication, especially in the case of young children who are particularly sensitive to strong smells and bitter tastes.
However, one of the major hurdles in revolutionizing the pharmacist's role as a key member of the healthcare team is lack of time. While some pharmacists have been able to relay their dispensing tasks on to their technicians to allow for more time in patient consultation, many still struggle to find any time that isn't already devoted to dispensing tasks alone.
Therefore time-saving technologies and methods are not only much-appreciated, but also much-needed to support the pharmacist's constant workload. FLAVORx has taken strides to streamline its flavoring process, reducing the directions to a simple procedure that takes less than two minutes. FLAVORx provides a comprehensive formulary to each participating pharmacy, succinctly detailing the 'recipe' for each medication and flavor combination. Straightforward step-wise directions and ease of readability, combined with a 24 hour flavoring support hotline, allows pharmacists and technicians to flavor liquid over-the-counter and prescription medications quickly and easily. In addition, FLAVORx has added a feature to its website that allows pharmacists, as well as consumers, doctors and hospitals, to engage in online 'chats' with FLAVORx representatives to immediately answer any questions they may have.
The survey among nearly 300 pharmacists also showed that less than 19% felt that time would hinder them from flavoring a medication. FLAVORx's solution to bad-tasting medications not only encourages increased patient adherence to drug regimens, but is also sensitive to the pharmacist's busy schedule. According to Kenny Kramm, FLAVORx President and CEO, "After 20 years of working in the family pharmacy, I know how busy pharmacists and technicians can get. When I designed the system, I knew that we had to have an efficient, uncomplicated program that would be easy to use and implement."
About FLAVORx
FLAVORx is a pharmaceutical flavoring system used by pharmacists and veterinarians nationwide to improve the palatability of liquid over-the-counter and prescription medications. To date, FLAVORx has flavored over 40 million prescriptions without any incidence of allergy, adverse reaction or changes in efficacy. FLAVORx flavors are non-allergenic, dye-free, sugar-free, phosphate-free and alcohol-free, making them safe for all patients. With over 42 flavors ranging from Bubblegum and Watermelon to Chocolate Silk Pie and Peaches 'n Cream, FLAVORx is sure to please any taste bud whether it's a child or an adult. In addition, 16 animal-inspired flavors such as Crispy Bacon and Salmon Steak help medications go down a little easier for FLAVORx's veterinary friends as well.
For more information, please visit www.flavorx.com or contact Teresa Chen at 800.884.5771, extension 234.
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