CareSource and Georgia Pharmacists create Pharmacy Advisory Board to improve health care quality and access

CareSource, a mission driven Medicaid plan serving more than 500,000 Georgians, announced a partnership with Georgia pharmacists through a newly developed Pharmacy Advisory Board. Pharmacists are an integral part of the health care team, and pharmacist involvement in patient care can improve health outcomes. The purpose of the Pharmacy Advisory Board is to provide a forum for practicing pharmacy providers and CareSource staff to discuss ways to improve policy, programs and quality initiatives.

The PAB is a 10-member board comprised of Georgia pharmacists from various practice settings including behavioral health, industry, hospital, 340B, academia, independent-community and state pharmacy organizations. The PAB allows practicing pharmacists to provide input and expertise regarding new program development and changes to existing programs to ensure clinical operations remain relevant to practicing pharmacists and beneficial to the CareSource members they serve.

Pharmacy Advisory Board members Thomas Sheerer, Patrick Chancy and Ben Ross with CareSource's Alison Watson and Turkesia Robertson-Jones.

“Open communication is key to providing optimal solutions for enhancing the accessibility and quality of health care for Georgians,” said Dr. Thomas Sherrer, PAB member & owner of Poole’s Pharmacy. “As a community-independent pharmacist, I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this initiative.”

Two workgroups have developed from the PAB and will meet on a monthly basis. The first meeting took place in October 2022, with subsequent meetings to occur each quarter. These workgroups will focus on disease state management and increasing access to care for Georgia Medicaid members.

“CareSource is focused on transforming health care by using innovative clinical programs, alternate reimbursement models, and having pharmacists fully integrated into the patient care experience,” said Dr. Turkesia Robertson-Jones, CareSource associate vice president of pharmacy. “We understand the value of a trusted pharmacist relationship, especially in complex member care situations which is why we will continue to partner with the pharmacy community. CareSource values input gained from Georgia pharmacists through the Pharmacy Advisory Board and look forward to the continued partnership to improve the health outcomes of our members.”