Telepharmacy coming to Mt. Morris

MT. MORRIS – A telepharmacy will open later this year, village Clerk Paula Diehl said in a news release.

One of the earliest innovations in telemedicine, telepharmacies operate the same way as other pharmacies, except the pharmacist is not on site.

Prescriptions are dropped off by patients or sent by the healthcare provider, a pharmacy technician prepares them and sends digital images to the pharmacist, who reviews the patient records and examines the images for accuracy, then approves the prescription, all in a few minutes. Patients picking up their prescriptions can speak directly with the pharmacist via videoconferencing with questions or to receive instructions.

This model has worked for owners Kip and Karrie Sabinson of Warren.

In addition to their traditional pharmacies in Warren and Lena, they also own telepharmacies in Polo, Lanark and Elizabeth. Mt. Morris will be their latest site.

Mt. Morris Pharmacy, 117 S. Wesley Ave., will be a full-service Health Mart brand pharmacy, fully-stocked with medications, over-the-counter items and a few gifts.

“We were approached by a group from Mt. Morris Economic Development about a year ago,” Kip Sabinson said. “The size of Mt. Morris is ideal. We believe this is a good opportunity. Until we’re able to open our doors, people can move their prescriptions to the Polo Pharmacy [779-226-1129] and we will deliver in Mt. Morris.”

The Sabinsons hire local people to staff their pharmacies, and intend to hire a pharmacy technician from Mt. Morris or the surrounding area.

“It works very well in small communities,” Kip Sabinson said. “It’s a service these towns don’t have, and it works well for us. One pharmacist, one location. It’s good for them and good for us.”

The building needs to be remodeled, and they hope to open later this year or in early 2022.

The Sabinsons have owned and operated Warren Drug Store for 20 years. They see telepharmacy as a way to get medications and pharmacies to people in rural communities.

They opened Lanark Pharmacy in 2015, and Elizabeth Pharmacy and Polo Pharmacy shortly after that. They purchased Lena Drug Store in 2018.