Planning New Pharmacist Services that Last: The Prescription Shop's Travel Medicine Clinic

Abstract

Community pharmacists across Canada are encountering opportunities to implement innovative patient care services. The provision of these services on a sustainable basis, however, is challenging and pharmacists face a number of barriers. Analysis of the planning process followed during development of the financially viable Prescription Shop travel medicine clinic was undertaken to offer guidance to pharmacists. The analysis was organized according to a traditional business model describing 3 phases of product development. A theoretical pharmacy practice change framework was adapted via insights gained from the implementation and day-today operation of the clinic. Results identified questions that are critical to address during each phase to ensure the selection, design and sustainable implementation of pharmacists' patient care services.