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Genoa pharmacists lead LAI program for schizophrenia care

September 26, 2025 | 5-minute read

Helping patients stay on track with treatment

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves1. For many patients, staying engaged in care — especially after leaving the hospital — is a challenge. Missed doses and medication gaps often lead to relapse and rehospitalization, with patients becoming “lost to follow-up,” a term commonly used due to the difficulty of maintaining engagement post-discharge. 

Genoa Healthcare pharmacy is addressing this challenge with a pharmacist-led long-acting injectable (LAI) program that makes treatment more accessible and sustainable. LAIs offer a key advantage to some patients: one injection can last at least 30 days, giving providers a window to transition patients to outpatient care and reducing the burden of daily medication adherence. 

A case study in Tennessee: Closing the gap after discharge

In Chattanooga, Tenn., Genoa pharmacists partnered with a local hospital to solve a common problem: patients who started LAI therapy in the hospital were failing to continue treatment after discharge. Many faced access issues such as insurance hurdles or difficulty finding the same medication in outpatient settings. Others disengaged from care entirely. 

To close this gap, Genoa offered patients the option to receive their medications through its pharmacy. Once a patient received their first LAI dose, Genoa’s team immediately began confirming coverage, handling prior authorizations and enrolling patients in assistance programs — all while the patient was still under hospital care. 

After discharge, patients returned to the pharmacy for ongoing LAI doses, medication counseling and support. Genoa also provided education, refill reminders, and close coordination with care teams to help patients stay on their medications and out of the hospital. 

“Genoa’s proactive approach allowed patients to continue their therapy without interruption while they transitioned out of the hospital,” said Blake Shoemaker, senior manager of pharmacy product at Genoa, who led the initiative. 

Real-world impact: Supporting long-term adherence

Genoa’s LAI program has also expanded its reach, growing from 33% of pharmacies able to administer injections in 2022 to 90% in 2023 — an increase that reflects both the demand for this kind of support and the effectiveness of Genoa’s approach. 

For health care organizations, this means fewer hospital readmissions, stronger continuity of care and better long-term outcomes for patients.  

Genoa’s model shows what’s possible when pharmacy teams are empowered to coordinate care, simplify access and stay connected with patients throughout their treatment journey. 

Expanding access where it’s needed most

Genoa’s LAI program is now active in hundreds of pharmacies across the U.S., with a strong presence in underserved communities. Where state laws allow, Genoa pharmacists both fill and administer LAIs, making treatment more accessible and seamless for consumers. 

By embedding clinical support into a safe and convenient pharmacy setting, Genoa is helping patients living with schizophrenia and other severe mental health conditions stay engaged in their care — and live healthier lives.

Read more about the effectiveness of LAIs for schizophrenia in the American Journal of Managed Care.

Need support with LAIs?

Genoa Healthcare can fill LAIs and administer them where authorized.