Community, Specialty and Infusion Pharmacy Services at HPS Des Moines
Author: Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions 
Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions (HPS) is excited about our new location in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. This pharmacy is unique because it combines the convenience of traditional retail stores with all the services HPS specialty pharmacy has to offer, including our new infusion pharmacy services.
Now that HPS Des Moines is located next to your homes and businesses in downtown Des Moines, we invite you to learn more about pharmacy manager Abby Cate and her new retail meets specialty and infusion pharmacy store.
Abby attended the University of Iowa where she earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy and a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Business Management. The decision to become a pharmacist was an easy one for Abby. She has always wanted to care for others and learn how medicine can effectively treat and heal people. Today, Abby is living her dream as the pharmacy manager at the newest HPS location.
HPS Des Moines
A typical day for Abby includes filling specialty pharmacy prescriptions, caring for patients and managing the retail aspect of her store. Abby also works with a team of pharmacists to develop the infusion services HPS Des Moines offers. HPS Des Moines dispenses both specialty and infusion prescriptions, in addition to selling over-the-counter medications. Infusion medications dispensed by HPS are sterile compounds made by experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the HPS Des Moines pharmacy.
HPS Des Moines bridges the gap between specialty pharmacy and retail pharmacy. Anyone can walk into the store to pick up cold medicine or talk with a pharmacist about health-related topics ranging from skin rashes to oncology medications.
“The most important thing to me about opening the HPS Des Moines location is making sure our patients know that we are here and accessible,” said Abby. “Our pharmacy is open to the public, which means our specialty and infusion patients can stop in and talk to us. Many specialty and infusion pharmacies don’t have this convenience. We have an open space for patients and the public to stop in and speak with a pharmacist about their medications as well as purchase some over-the-counter products.”
The Difference Between Specialty Pharmacy and Retail Pharmacy
Specialty and infusion pharmacies typically involve medications that have high costs, are more complicated to manage and treat chronic or complex conditions. Examples of conditions managed by a specialty pharmacist include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease or cancer.
Traditional retail pharmacies dispense medications for common illnesses such as allergies, high blood pressure, or strep throat among many others. Many retail pharmacies also stock their shelves with over-the-counter medications such as cough drops and vitamins.
People with specialty and infusion prescriptions typically don’t visit their specialty pharmacy provider. The Des Moines HPS location is unique because it offers specialty pharmacy and infusion services from a convenient, walk-in pharmacy. You’re welcome to visit Abby and her team if you are in the downtown Des Moines area. With HPS Des Moines, you get to choose what works best for you. If visiting the HPS pharmacy doesn’t fit your schedule, HPS will ship your medications to a convenient location such as your home or your local Hy-Vee pharmacy.
Many specialty and infusion medications that HPS Des Moines dispenses are considered “high-touch.” This means they require additional service and attention. In traditional retail pharmacies, your doctor prescribes a medication and sends the prescription to your local pharmacy, where you pick up your medication. Specialty prescriptions often have additional steps, such as getting a prior authorization from your insurance company before you can begin taking the medication. HPS Des Moines is familiar with this process and is equipped to handle specialty and infusion prescriptions.
From a patient’s perspective, this process can seem confusing and frustrating, but Abby and her staff of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are here to guide you through it.
“At HPS, there are many moving parts happening behind the scenes in order for a patient to receive their medication,” said Abby. “I think the key element to our success is communication. HPS has a great system in place to keep everyone in the loop, and no one is afraid to pick up the phone and call if needed.”
Comprehensive Patient Care
The mix of HPS specialty, infusion and retail services is not the only unique thing about our Des Moines location. Abby and her team are making a difference in the lives of their patients every day. When you visit HPS Des Moines, you’ll notice a higher level of customer service and comprehensive patient care. Abby genuinely cares for her patients and reviews their prescriptions with them so they know when and how to take their medicine.
“I want to make sure patients know we are taking care of them and their needs,” said Abby. “It’s important for our patients to feel confident they are getting the best service because they deserve it.”
HPS patients who visit Abby can expect services above and beyond what you would typically find in your neighborhood pharmacy. In addition to clinical expertise, HPS patients across the country have access to a registered dietitian, financial assistance, patient education and resource programs and more. For more information about all the services HPS offers, visit our website at HVRXSolutions.com.
‘That’s Why We’re Here’
Abby and the entire Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions team are here to make your life easier, happier and healthier. Be sure to stop by our new HPS location at 215 10th Street, Suite 110 in downtown Des Moines to introduce yourself or pick up your over-the-counter medications. If you have any questions or concerns about your HPS prescription, contact Abby or your HPS pharmacist.
“I always encourage my patients to reach out to anyone at HPS if they have the slightest hesitation or question about something,” said Abby. ”If we don’t know the answer we’ll find it because that is why we’re here!”