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Schnucks to deploy PharmaSmart blood pressure kiosks

Technology called disease management “game-changer” for pharmacists

Russell Redman

April 24, 2018

2 Min Read
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To help customers better manage their blood pressure, Schnuck Markets Inc. is deploying cardiovascular health kiosks from PharmaSmart International Inc. at all of its pharmacies.

Plans call for PharmaSmart’s clinically validated PS-2000 health kiosks and interoperable digital health platform to be rolled out to Schnucks’ 95 pharmacy locations. The St. Louis-based supermarket chain operates 100 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Pharmasmart_PS-2000-C_1.jpgSchnucks aims to leverage the health kiosks (left) to help drive Medicare Star Ratings, specifically in the areas of medication adherence for hypertension and blood pressure control. Both measures are triple-weighted and scrutinized by national and regional health insurers to determine pharmacies’ performance and, in turn, their standing as preferred provider in their networks.

The PharmaSmart rollout “is more than Schnucks just deploying new kiosks,” according to Bob Buganski, senior director of pharmacy at Schnucks.

“PharmaSmart’s health screening kiosks and integrated BPT Rx solutions are a game-changer for disease management at the pharmacist point of care,” Buganski said in a statement. "With the PharmaSmart program, Schnucks now offers our patients a health screening program backed by clinical evidence, and one that incorporates full integration into our Rx software, McKesson CPS.

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“This fluid workflow integration allows us to easily intervene in cases where blood pressure control is not achieved, which is a capability our pharmacists have never had before,” he explained. “We will also have the data to demonstrate our impact on blood pressure control rates over a managed population.”

Rochester, N.Y.-based PharmaSmart noted that commercial insurance plans also stand to benefit as they seek to improve cardiovascular health outcomes by lowering long-term risk factors such as high blood pressure.

“Those who question a pharmacists’ value in health care need to think twice. When you thoughtfully incorporate the right technology into professional workflow, and it meets published clinical standards, you earn the trust of pharmacists, and you see better execution rates at point of care,” commented PharmaSmart president and chief executive officer Fred Sarkis. “We are thrilled to be working with Schnucks pharmacists, and we look forward to supporting their team as they optimize the delivery of healthcare services across their stores.”

Overall, PharmaSmart serves more than 7,000 locations, including food and drug retailers such as Price Chopper, Giant Eagle, Brookshire Grocery Co., Coborn’s, Nash Finch, Roundy’s, Associated Food Stores, Winn-Dixie, Big Y Foods, Harmons Grocery, Walmart Canada, Safeway Canada and Loblaw’s. The PharmaSmart PS Data Smart Health IT database currently holds over 65 million targeted patient blood-pressure readings.

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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