The Basics

This a standard requires that, for each pharmacy distribution channel your organization operates, it maintains a means of identifying and addressing any concerns related to:

• quality and safety of drugs distribution and
• service quality.

URAC offers a very diverse array of possible ways of measuring performance in your distribution channels, including:

• distribution accuracy (correct drug, directions, dosage, quantity, patient, labeling, as well as proper handling and distribution)
• overuse of medication (use without indication, overdose, improper drug selection)
• under use of medication (untreated indications, under dosage, failure to deliver medication)
• adverse drug events (reactions and interactions)
• pharmacy credentialing (licensure verification, monitoring of sanctions)

For purposes of the URAC accreditation process, it is important that you know how your organization measures its performance on any or all of these measures with respect to its distribution channels.

Management Tips

Despite the fact that you have a lot of flexibility with regard to compliance with the standard, that doesn't mean you can do nothing.  There are a number of resources available to you, including the Institute for Safe Medication Practices and the Institute of Medicine.  Once you establish in your documentation what your criteria for performance art, make sure that you have processes in place to measure your performance against those criteria.  Finally, make sure that you have means of documenting your measurement of your performance.

URAC Accreditation Tips

Both elements of the standard are mandatory.

For purposes of the desktop review, submit your pharmacy credentialing P&Ps, and he performance tracking data, and perhaps even a quality management program description.

The on-site review will consist of an interview of the management team for the pharmacy network management department, and perhaps senior clinicians and your compliance officer.  In addition, the reviewer will examine complaint logs, quality management documentation, and any other evidence to present at indicates that you have implemented your processes for measuring your performance against criteria.