The Keck Medicine of USC Specialty Pharmacy has earned Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) Accreditation in Specialty Pharmacy, effective March 1, 2018 to March 1, 2021, administrators announced recently. URAC is the independent leader in promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and measurement. By achieving this status, Keck Medicine of USC Specialty Pharmacy has demonstrated a comprehensive commitment to quality care, improved processes and better patient outcomes.

“URAC accreditation is a testament to the delivery of exceptional pharmaceutical care by the team at the Keck Medicine of USC Specialty Pharmacy,” said Raffi Svadjian, PharmD, MBA, executive director of community pharmacies at the USC School of Pharmacy. “Accreditation demonstrates to patients, the pharmaceutical industry and third-party partners that Keck Medicine of USC Specialty Pharmacy meets the rigorous requirements which URAC has set as industry standards. We are excited to have completed the accreditation process and look forward to being a leader in the specialty pharmacy arena.”

Keck Medicine of USC Specialty Pharmacy, open since January 2016, is a collaborative project between the USC School of Pharmacy and Keck Medicine of USC. As part of an academic medical center, the USC Specialty Pharmacy provides an exceptional level of comprehensive and compassionate care to patients. The pharmacy currently services the oncology, hepatology, neurology, rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology divisions at Keck Medicine.

In-house patient service representatives at the USC Specialty Pharmacy complete all necessary prior authorization and appeal processes to ensure coverage and assist patients in obtaining co-insurance assistance to ease the financial burden of specialty drug therapy. Clinical pharmacists counsel every patient as they begin a new therapy and regularly follow up to assess for adverse reactions, barriers to adherence and efficacy. The staff members at USC Specialty Pharmacy are dedicated to ensuring speedy access to therapy and safety of treatment for the patient.

“It’s necessary for specialty pharmacies to provide a higher level of treatment for patients so desired outcomes are achieved. Keck Medicine of USC Specialty Pharmacy shows a dedication to patient education and safety through the recognition of quality it received with URAC’s independent accreditation,” said URAC President and CEO Kylanne Green. “With URAC accreditation, people know that Keck Medicine of USC Specialty Pharmacy strives to adhere to industry best practices.”

— Michele Keller