1)  Three to Seven Pharmacists available to answer questions during the business day.

2)  No more poly-pharmacy

• Able to monitor drug interactions from all the doctors for a patient
• Able to monitor for duplicate therapies
• Able to monitor for cost effectiveness (ex. can a generic be substituted?)
• Able to monitor for over-use (ex. is someone overdosing on pain meds?)
• Able to monitor for unusual events (ex. multiple antibiotics from multiple docs)
• Able to fax/mail a complete medication list because everything is at one place

3)  Doc-U-Dose envelopes

• Each tablet is clearly labeled in a foil pack (ex. No more, "that little white pill")
• Each envelope is clearly marked with the day of the week and date (ex. No more, did I take my meds today?)
• Envelopes are easily transported to day outings/vacations/etc.
• Envelopes are easily taken to Dr.'s visits/ER visits so it is clear what patient is taking
• Compliance easily monitored

4)  Monthly Delievery

• Limits number of trips to the pharmacy (all meds delivered at once)
• No worry about weather/travel hazards for the patient
• Again, able to monitor compliance

5)  Comprehensive Discharge Planning

• Unlike retail pharmacy we work in unison with the discharging hopital/physicians to insure patient is getting the correct medication
• We are able to check for duplicate therapies (make sure old meds are discontinued)
• We are able to get medications changed to formulary meds since we are working closely with discharging doctors
• We make sure the patient gets all the new medications needed based on the discharge sheet.  (patient's not always given prescriptions for new meds.)

6)  Supplies/nutritional drinks all available from the same place

7)  RN/Certified Diabetic Educator on Staff

8)  Safer/More double checks than retail pharmacy

• A pharmacist checks medication list for problems and bills
• An individual prints the envelopes, again checking for duplicate medications, etc.
• A pharmacy tech pulls the medications and counts the tablets/capsules
• Anothers pharmacy worker double counts the medications and stuffs the envelopes
• A pharmacist then checks the envelopes to assure that everything is correct and in the right order
• A Doc-U-Dose worker seals the envelopes (the adhesive)
• A pharmacist then double checks that all envelopes and additional medications-including insulin are in the bag and staples the bag shut.
• When the drivers load their trucks they are again checking to assure all pre meds are included.