TELEPHARMACY

What is telepharmacy?
Telepharmacy is the delivery of pharmaceutical services at a distance through the use of information and
communication technologies (ICTs). It is complementary to onsite care and which allows pharmacists specializing in
Hospital Pharmacy (HP) to provide pharmaceutical care to patients outside hospital centers.

What does telepharmacy cover?

Coordination with the care team Pharmacotherapeutic monitoring

Telepharmacy requires proper communication The patient’s oharmacological treatment is
between the HP and the rest of the care team remotely monitored in a way that allows the
in order to improve the exchange of HP to ensure the treatment is both effective
information and bolster patient care. and safe.

Educating and informing patients Dispensing and informed delivery of drugs

Communication channels are established that Telepharmacy brings hospital-based
allow for patient education along with the medication closer to patients and offers them
transmission of rigorous, truthful and delivery flexibility, along with accurate
updated information to patients and their information.
relatives and/or caregivers.
What tools are available?
Electronic medical
Phone Video calls E-mail address Web 2.0 Apps Wearables records Web 3.0

Blogs, wikis, discussion Artificial Intelligence/BigData

forums, social media, etc.
 What are the benefits? Keys to the use of telepharmacy

Promotion of a healthcare model with a continuous 1) Telepharmacy is a complementary tool to onsite pharmaceutical
and more humanized contact. care.

2) Each Hospital Pharmacy Department may develop different

telepharmacy programs.
Increased patient and caregiver satisfaction.
3) The HP is the healthcare provider responsible for proposing,
offering and directing telepharmacy interventions.

Promoting a more flexible relationship that reduces the 4) The use of telepharmacy is not limited to specific conditions or
patient's dependence on the health center. medications.

5) Inclusion, exclusion and prioritization criteria can be defined to

determine which patients may be included in telepharmacy
Greater access to healthcare providers, better programs.
communication, and improved support on a daily basis.
6) Patients must understand the commitment required by a
telepharmacy program as well as its scope.
Increased patient safety and an environment that
7) The HP is the healthcare provider responsible for informing the
fosters improved clinical outcomes.
patient and ensuring the proper development of the
telepharmacy program.

8) The choice of the technological tool to be used will depend on

Increased patient proactivity and empowerment.
the objective of the telepharmacy intervention to be performed,
as well as on the available resources and technological
capabilities.

Reduced travel, improved time and resource efficiency. 9) The telepharmacy program developed must comply with current
regulations.

10) The telepharmacy program must establish ethical guarantees for

the development of the service.