Pharmacist support for chronically ill patients aligns with Catholic Health’s care management strategy, forms a key part of its Community Pharmacy Initiative

BUFFALO, NY (May 10, 2021) – Furthering its mission to deliver high quality, compassionate, and affordable care to Western New York, Catholic Health today announced the launch of an innovative program focused on offering comprehensive personalized, specialty pharmacy services across its network of physician practices and clinics. A key part of Catholic Health’s Community Pharmacy Initiative, the program is being developed in partnership with Trellis Rx, a leading technology-enabled specialty pharmacy services provider.

Patients across Western New York rely on specialty medication therapies to treat a variety of serious or chronic illnesses like cancer, hepatitis C, congestive heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Yet these medications are frequently expensive, challenging to manage, and have significant side effects. As a result, patients often struggle to adhere to these treatment regimens without the right level of clinical, financial management, and emotional support.

Catholic Health will tackle these challenges head-on by adding dedicated pharmacists to its care teams to help patients who require these specialty medications. The health system will also provide patient liaisons to help program participants navigate the often-complex process of obtaining and complying with these medication therapies, and managing the high cost of specialty prescriptions. This personalized, local approach mirrors Catholic Health’s focus on patient-centered care and will create a much more user-friendly experience for patients and their families.

“We strive to innovate at Catholic Health so we can provide our community with the most accessible, highest quality care – especially for those who are poor or disadvantaged,” said Joyce Markiewicz, Catholic Health Executive Vice President & Chief Business Development Officer. “We know many patients struggle to afford and manage these complex therapies, often jeopardizing their chance to improve their health and enjoy their highest quality of life. We believe our specialty pharmacy services will give our patients the vital support they need to adhere to these critical regimens and achieve better health outcomes.”

Patients will receive in-person, telephonic and virtual medication education and ongoing counseling from pharmacists with advanced clinical training. Pharmacy liaisons will manage financial assistance applications, insurance authorizations, medication refills and more to reduce the burden specialty medications often create for patients and providers.

Catholic Health will initially offer these services for its patients living with cancer and diabetes and plans to expand services throughout 2021 to support patients with other serious and chronic conditions.

About Catholic Health
Catholic Health is one of the largest providers of healthcare in Western New York. As the region’s quality leader, its network includes four hospitals on five campuses; four long term care facilities; three home care agencies; an ambulatory surgery center; and numerous primary care, diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation, and specialty care centers. Trinity Medical WNY, a multi-specialty physician practice with locations throughout the region, and the 1,000+ physicians affiliated with Catholic Medical Partners, make up its broad physician network. Together, its physician partners and more than 10,000 associates are part of a Catholic-sponsored, healing ministry dating back more than 170 years. Among its many services, Catholic Health is known for excellence in cardiac care, stroke care, vascular care, neurosurgery, women’s services, orthopedics, and rehabilitation. Learn more about Catholic Health at chsbuffalo.org

About Trellis Rx
Trellis Rx works hand-in-hand with health systems to improve the medication therapy experience for their patients with chronic and specialty conditions. Working under the health system’s brand, Trellis Rx provides medically-integrated pharmacy services that drive measurably better clinical and financial outcomes—faster—with less risk.

Trellis Rx’s unique clinical care model embeds highly skilled pharmacists and pharmacy liaisons directly into health system specialty clinics. Its fully integrated, local approach ensures patients with chronic and complex conditions receive the personalized, high-touch pharmacy care required to support adherence to treatment plans and improve clinical outcomes.