Pharmacies: Our Bridge to Communities

Pharmacies: Our Bridge to Communities

Why it’s about more than filling prescriptions

GUEST BIO:

Jose Ramos is the National Director of Sales for AHF.

Cindy Markarian is Senior Director of Pharmacy, overseeing the strategic response team nationwide.

CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:

[2:09] - More than Medication

The vital role of AHF pharmacies

Cindy speaks on how AHF pharmacies serve as more than just places to provide medication— they’re also AHF’s link to the community, where we can spread the word about all our services and what our pharmacies can provide.

[5:34] - The Power of Credibility

Face-to-face interactions grow trust

Jose Ramos says that providers want to see pharmacists face-to-face, and he’s seen how visiting with pharmacists encourages them to send prescriptions to AHF pharmacies. This is contrast to many big pharmacies, in which both patients and pharmacists are simply numbers in a machine. With AHF, patients feel they can call up and speak to a human being and ask questions.

[15:22] - Starting with Education

Honest conversations are essential

Jose talks openly and frankly about a lot of the ways that PrEP can help serve people who may not know it— or feel comfortable with it. But he says that “education is really where we need to start with a lot of this. There’s so much that’s still not talked about— even just starting with sex education.”

[20:57] - Helping Patients Live Full Lives

Beyond HIV treatment

Cindy stresses that people are now living longer than ever with HIV, and that has meant AHF pharmacies are expanding to serve the full range of health needs of patients. They’ve become experts on dealing with diabetes, even oncology, kidney failure, heart disease, and much more. They’re holistic services, and it’s important that more patients are aware of that. It’s about more than just HIV.

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ABOUT AFTER HOURS:

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the world’s largest HIV/AIDS service organization, operating in 45 countries globally. The mission? Providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy for everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

The After Hours podcast is an official podcast of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, in which host Lauren Hogan is joined by experts in a range of fields to educate, inform, and inspire listeners on topics that go far beyond medical information to cover leadership, creativity, and success. 

Learn more at: https://www.aidshealth.org

ABOUT THE HOST:

Lauren Hogan is the Associate Director of Communications for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and has been working in a series of roles with the Foundation since 2016. She’s passionate about increasing the public visibility of AIDS, the Foundation's critical work, and how everyday people can help join the fight to make cutting-edge medicine, treatment, and support available for anyone who needs it.

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