Pictured, left to right: Julia Friedman, pharmacy senior director, Erlanger; Mike Griffin, president and CEO, Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce; Michael Fraher, market president, Shields Health Solutions; Jim Coleman, president and CEO, Erlanger; Ngoc Le, director of pharmacy business and analytics, Erlanger.
Erlanger and Shields Health Solutions (Shields) celebrated the opening of Erlanger Specialty Pharmacy with a ribbon cutting on Monday. The new specialty pharmacy, which will open to Erlanger patients this month, is at Bradley Heritage Medical Park in Cleveland at 4312 Holiday Inn Express Way NW.
“This is not your typical retail pharmacy,” said Erlanger Director of Pharmacy Business and Analytics Ngoc Le. “This specialty pharmacy is designed to handle the medications of Erlanger patients with complex and chronic conditions.
These medications often require special handling, administration or monitoring. Erlanger and our providers have been a reliable source of care for our community. Now, we can provide medication access to help our patients successfully manage their complex medication journey. Shields has been an amazing partner, and we’re excited to be able to offer this essential service to our patients.”
Officials said, "Erlanger Specialty Pharmacy will provide liaisons who will guide patients and caregivers who fill prescriptions with Erlanger, working with patients on-site and by phone. Among other tasks, these liaisons can assist patients and families with navigating barriers to care, including health insurance, prior authorizations or securing financial assistance.
"Shields is a specialty pharmacy accelerator that works with more than 80 health systems across the country to collaborate in delivering specialty pharmacy services to patients. Through this partnership, Erlanger will be able to provide increased access to specialized pharmacy services designed to lower costs, bolster treatment options, improve access to medication and enhance overall health for patients who have complex, chronic conditions while providing accessible, affordable care in the greater Chattanooga and Cleveland area."
Initially, Erlanger Specialty Pharmacy will serve Erlanger patients of neurology, rheumatology, dermatology, urology, and gastroenterology, with intentions to expand to additional disease states in the future.
From left, Jim Coleman, president and CEO, Erlanger and Michael Fraher, market president, Shields Health Solutions