Dunlap Community Development Corporation (DCDC) is pleased to announce that a lease agreement has been signed with OneroRx. OneroRx, founded in 2016 and based in West Des Moines, currently owns 53 pharmacies across five states. OneroRx is majority-owned by Des Moines philanthropist and venture capitalist John Pappajohn, who also serves on its board. Among other notable board members is former Governor and Ambassador Terry Branstad.
DCDC currently owns a facility on Dunlap’s main street that was previously occupied by Burgess Health Care and Dunlap Family Pharmacy. OneroRx plans to begin telepharmacy operations in DCDC’s building beginning in March; the exact start date is contingent upon remodel work, employee recruitment, and licensing.
“DCDC couldn’t be more excited. We have been working since the spring of 2022 to return pharmacy services to town,” shared Jill Schaben, Executive Director of DCDC. “We knew it would not be easy, but we also knew how important it was to the community, so we designated it as a high priority and kept driving towards all potential opportunities.”
OneroRx is dedicated to restoring quality, affordable pharmacy care to underserved communities. Efficient telepharmacy operations enable them to re-establish pharmacy care in these neglected markets, immediately and positively impacting community health and wellness.
“OneroRx is pleased to be of service to the Dunlap community,” said Joseph Dunham, CEO and president of OneroRx. “We are dedicated to bringing pharmacy services to areas that are without care otherwise, and we believe this telepharmacy in Dunlap will have long-term benefits for the community and the surrounding area.”
Telepharmacy is defined as the delivery of pharmaceutical care via telecommunications to patients in locations where they may not have direct contact with a pharmacist otherwise. Telepharmacy services include drug therapy monitoring, patient counseling, prior authorization, and refill authorization for prescription drugs. Through the use of HIPAA-compliant technology, off-site pharmacists can virtually review scripts and counsel patients.
“Telepharmacy is a great option for Dunlap,” explained Schaben. “It eliminates the need to employ a full-time pharmacist, but rather allows technicians to work independently in a remote pharmacy where the pharmacist verifies prescriptions via live feed.”
“Having easy access to your healthcare is crucial, and pharmacy is part of that. It shouldn’t matter if you live in an urban setting or a rural one,” stated Dunham. “Telepharmacy allows patients to have their prescriptions filled locally and receive counseling locally, rather than having to drive miles and miles to pick up a script in the nearest urban area.”
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