Through a unique partnership with Walgreens, Susan G. Komen and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Walgreens has raised more than $30 million through a combination of corporate donations and in-store fundraising. Together with Komen, Walgreens is a trusted resource in the community for their customers, including breast cancer patients.
An Important Part of the Care Team
Walgreens pharmacists can be an important part of a breast cancer patient’s care team. They help to empower patients by providing counseling and education for patients on specialty medications and support medications. They also help with addressing concerns with insurance, prior authorizations, copays and drug costs.
“We’re part of the team that works to keep a patient as strong and as healthy as possible to get through their treatment,” said Juline George, PharmD, a Walgreens specialty pharmacist. “We chat through potential side effects, discuss treatment regimens and work with social workers and patient navigators to help with insurance coverage concerns.”
Help with Solutions
When problems arise, the pharmacist can work with a patient’s care team to come up with a solution. For example, if copays are high, pharmacists can work with a patient’s care team to determine if there are copay assistance foundations that can help. They can also look to see whether a drug has a free trial or whether an insurance company prefers one medication over another, which can affect drug cost.
“We go through a list of questions – is there a back order? Is there availability? Is it covered by insurance, is the copay high? Those are the questions we’re going to help someone navigate through. We’re going to figure out the problem and work to figure out a solution,” Juline said. “Your pharmacist can help. We can help maintain and take care of our patients and make sure they’re getting the best care possible.”
In Your Corner
Walgreens and Komen are in your corner as a trusted resource and support system to help eliminate barriers to care for individuals and communities experiencing breast health inequities. To learn more about our partnership click here.
