Couriers add personal touch to Allied Health Solutions Specialty Pharmacy service

If the Allied Health Solutions Specialty Pharmacy merely filled prescriptions for patients with unique and complicated medical conditions, it would be an asset to the region. But with a team of couriers, who delivers throughout West Virginia and into Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, the pharmacy goes well beyond the proverbial extra mile.

“Our couriers not only deliver medications to clinics, hospitals, and places of business, but they also make the majority of their deliveries directly to the patient’s home,” Casey Yokum, assistant director of the Allied Health Solutions Specialty Pharmacy, said.

The pharmacy previously used private couriers, third-party courier services, and third-party logistics vendors, but decided to hire an in-house team of eight couriers who cover up to a three-hour radius from Morgantown for their deliveries.

“We have developed a cost-efficient model by employing our own couriers, synchronizing delivery routes with both our clinical scheduling team and our operations team, and by expanding where it makes sense,” Yokum said.

The pharmacy also has the option of using a third-party shipping vendor to service patients. But, whenever possible, the pharmacy prefers the personal touch.

“Clearly our couriers are the best choice and make a difference,” Yokum said. “We receive numerous patient compliments on our courier service, which often include handwritten notes.”

To help maintain optimum quality, the pharmacy recently added a pharmaceutical grade, reusable cooler that allows couriers to deliver medications that require cold storage. The acquisition has resulted in a significant cost savings and has been a patient satisfier, according to Yokum.

“Combining convenience with quality, professionalism, and efficiency helps make our courier service like none other,” he said.