KŌKUA PHARMACY
Brandy Shima, Pharmacist (L), Tihati Tupua, Pharmacy Technician (C), Kiara Arakawa-Taum, Pharmacy Technician (R)
Shima received her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2002 from Creighton University. She was Pharmacy Manager for Pharmacy Partners Hawaii until 2016 and has worked at Synergy MedSolutions, Pharmacy Partners Hawaii, and Pharmacare International since 2018.
KKV has taken pharmaceutical services in-house with Kōkua Pharmacy. This is a big change from the contracted services of 5-Minute Pharmacy that used to occupy the ground-floor office in the Wellness Center. Now that KKV runs the Pharmacy, patients no longer have to leave the premises to get the medications they need.
Patient interaction is a top priority for the pharmacy team. “We want to take care of the customers who need our help and to make sure they get the attention they need,” says Pharmacist Brandy. A gentle touch and good customer service is critical. The team takes time to get to know the patients and their concerns and to help those who are confused or anxious about medications.
Pharmacy Tech Kiara shares a story of a patient who initially was not aware of the medications that he was taking or what these medications were treating. She worked with his provider at KKV to organize his pills into multi-dose packages and help him become more comfortable with his treatment plan. “He now comes on time, every month, to get his medications,” she adds.
The pharmacy is an important part of KKV’s holistic and team-centered approach to care. They often collaborate with other departments throughout the clinic such as medical, behavioral health, family planning, and intake to find the best treatment options for the patients and to help them obtain prescriptions at affordable rates. “The best part of pharmacy is knowing that we really get to work with everyone else to help the community,” says Pharmacy Technician Ati. Whether it be searching for ways to reduce out-of-pocket expenses or working with medical interpreters to communicate with patients, there is an advantage to the pharmacy services being just a small part of the overall care that we offer at KKV.
Other Kōkua services include multi-dose packing for customers who need support organizing their pills and dosages and remembering to take them daily. Over-the-counter products are also available for sale.
Kōkua Pharmacy is open to serve KKV patients from Monday to Friday, 8:30AM to 5:30PM (closed for lunch 12:30-1:30PM). Insurance from HMSA, HMSA Quest, Ohana Medicare/Quest, UHA, Tricare, and AlohaCare Medicare/Quest is currently accepted.
