Rite Aid pharmacies in select regions of Ohio will soon offer private telehealth kiosks through a pilot partnership with HealthSpot, enabling consumers to consult directly with board-certified physicians at the pharmacy.
Customers who use the HealthSpot station will be able to connect with a network of providers, including staff at the Cleveland Clinic and other major health systems in Ohio, according to HealthSpot, also based in Ohio. Most major insurance will be accepted, the company said.
The agreement marks the first major retail opportunity for HealthSpot, the company said. It’s platform consists of proprietary cloud-based telemedicine software and a fully-enclosed, 40-square-foot kiosk, which enables patients to interact with doctors and healthcare professionals through high-definition video conferencing with digital medical devices. The average visit takes 15 minutes.
The push into telehealth at retail pharmacies stems from the push to make healthcare more consumer-friendly, meeting patients where they are.
Through the kiosks, consumers will receive care and instructions for a range of common and minor conditions, such as the cold and flu, rashes and skin conditions, eye conditions, ear aches and seasonal allergies. A record of the visit is maintained, ensuring seamless communication and continuity of care.
“Adding HealthSpot stations serves as a natural extension of our existing suite of health and wellness services and offers people an alternative solution to accessing quality healthcare in a familiar, professional and convenient setting,” said Rite Aid’s Executive Vice President of Pharmacy Robert Thompson in a statement.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
The pilot with HealthSpot will initially target the Cleveland, Dayton and Akron areas.
Rite Aid Corporation is one of the largest drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2014 annual revenues of $25.5 billion. HealthSpot’s kiosks have been used in other spaces, including hospitals, clinics, employer and community sites, universities and the home.
