SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions (MPRS), a division of McKesson Corp., has launched LoyaltyScript@Retail, an initiative to provide pharmacists with a timely, convenient means of providing patient savings and enhanced care at the point of dispensing, helping to improve patient medication adherence.

The program provides pharmacists with in-store, online access to co-pay savings offers for medications across a range of therapeutic classes, including diabetes, hypertension, respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.

The solution will be available initially at more than 10,000 pharmacies, including Health Mart pharmacies, chain store networks and independent pharmacies. The number of participating pharmacies is expected to increase to more than 20,000 pharmacies by ­early 2015.

“While physicians remain a primary source for patients to learn about the availability of medication savings programs, an increasing number of patients are seeking information from their pharmacist. According to recently released McKesson research, more than one-third of patients indicated that they have asked their pharmacist about lower-cost medications, and 71% indicated they would be more likely to fill their prescription if the pharmacist provided a medication savings card or coupon,” said Derek Rago, vice president and general manager at MPRS.

“In one click, pharmacists have instant access to a growing list of online brand offers through LoyaltyScript@Retail, helping them meet the needs of patients seeking co-pay savings offers at the pharmacy, providing affordable prescriptions and ultimately improving patient adherence.”

From a single destination and within current pharmacy work flows, LoyaltyScript@Retail provides pharmacists with one-stop access to adherence support tools to encourage better health outcomes for their patients.

Ideal for reaching patients who may not be aware of, or have access to, co-pay savings offers and loyalty programs, the program provides pharmacists with a means to help patients start and stay on their prescribed therapy and improve health outcomes.

MPRS also announced that it has recently released a white paper outlining the growing role of pharmacists in medication adherence and quality patient care. The report was based in part on new patient research commissioned by MPRS that identified emerging trends in medication adherence, the use of co-pay cards, and attitudes toward physicians and ­pharmacists.