LECOM Augments Health System With New Pharmacies

ERIE, PA (Sept. 26, 2019) – LECOM Health has expanded its commitment to the Erie region and its residents by expanding pharmacy services to include two new locations.

LECOM Health Outpatient Pharmacy has opened at 5702 Peach St., Erie. As an independent retail pharmacy, this new facility offers many of the same conveniences customers have come to expect at larger chain stores. Former Millcreek Community Hospital (MCH) Pharmacy Director Timothy Zurn, R.Ph., will serve as the pharmacy manager.

In addition to the new Peach Street location, LECOM Health has also acquired Colonial Family Pharmacy at 3822 Colonial Ave., Erie. The acquisition was completed July 1.

Robert Heath, R.Ph., opened Colonial Family Pharmacy in September 2010 and will remain the pharmacy manager. Colonial’s staff will also be maintained under this new ownership. Business will be “as usual,” and existing Colonial customers should not notice any change in operation under LECOM Health, according to Marcus Babiak, Pharm.D., MCH pharmacy director.

Additionally, the LECOM Health Outpatient Pharmacy will impact MCH patients. Babiak noted plans are underway to begin a meds-to-beds program in which the pharmacy will fill and deliver prescriptions to patients’ bedsides before they are discharged. Patients will then have a 30-, 60- or 90-day supply of medication to take home.

“Having those prescriptions available at the time of discharge not only provides an added convenience, but it should also reduce the number of MCH patients who are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge,” said Babiak. “National statistics have shown a significant number of patients fail to fill or refill prescriptions, and that non-compliance often translates into repeat hospital stays.”

Internally, LECOM students and employees are likewise benefiting from these health system affiliates. LECOM School of Pharmacy students now have two new local sites at which to complete their community retail pharmacy rotations, a requirement of their training. Both facilities also serve as home host pharmacies for LECOM and LECOM Health employees, which translates into savings for staff as well as improved cost containment for the LECOM Health system.

In addition to the LECOM Health Outpatient Pharmacy and Colonial Family Pharmacy, LECOM Health also operates pharmacy services out of MCH.