Content about Medication therapy management

February 19, 2013

Medication therapy management contribution to improved outcomes and cost savings in health care

By now we are all well aware of the healthcare IT transformation taking place across the nation. This transformation is expected to continue for the foreseeable future with further implementation of Meaningful Use and the expansion of state Medicaid programs in 2014 as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requirements. Providing clinical services through the coordination of care among a variety of providers in the healthcare space will continue to be a focal point in the future of healthcare as well. For example, we will likely see more elaborate collaborative care models through the expansion of accountable care organizations, patient centered medical home efforts, and the development of health insurance exchanges in one form or another.

May 15, 2013

Md. state employees eligible for MTM pilot program

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is piloting a program that will allow state employees to receive medication therapy management services, the university announced.

BALTIMORE — The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is piloting a program that will allow state employees to receive medication therapy management services, the university announced.

May 2, 2013

NACDS joins 'Partnership for Advancing Medication Adherence'

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced its membership in “Prescriptions for a Healthy America: A Partnership for Advancing Medication Adherence."

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has announced its membership in “Prescriptions for a Healthy America: A Partnership for Advancing Medication Adherence."

May 2, 2013

RxResults picks Mirixa for MTM program

A company that manages pharmacy services for employer groups and health plans has selected a company founded by the National Community Pharmacists Association for its medication therapy management services.

RESTON, Va. — A company that manages pharmacy services for employer groups and health plans has selected a company founded by the National Community Pharmacists Association for its medication therapy management services.

RxResults said it had chosen Mirixa Corp.'s MirixaPro platform to administer MTM services for members of its employer groups. The services will include a person-to-person comprehensive medication review and quarterly interactive follow-up medication reviews delivered by a pharmacist using the platform.

April 23, 2013

Pharmacy value as part of outcomes-based health care highlighted in morning NACDS sessions

As the retail pharmacy industry continues to explore outcome-based solutions to help drive down the cost of overall health care, incoming National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Robert Narveson pointed to the oath a pharmacist takes for inspiration during his inaugural address here before attendees of the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As the retail pharmacy industry continues to explore outcome-based solutions to help drive down the cost of overall health care, incoming National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman Robert Narveson pointed to the oath a pharmacist takes for inspiration during his inaugural address here before attendees of the 2013 NACDS Annual Meeting.

April 12, 2013

RxWiki launches beta version of mobile pharmacy app

The makers of a new smartphone app say it will synchronize engagement between pharmacists and patients through mobile devices, social media, websites and printed media.

AUSTIN, Texas — The makers of a new smartphone app say it will synchronize engagement between pharmacists and patients through mobile devices, social media, websites and printed media.

RxWiki announced Friday the beta release of Mobile+, a customizable mobile application that delivers medication information, news and alerts to patients' smartphones. The app is currently available for Android devices and will soon be available for Apple devices.

March 21, 2013

University of Nebraska Medical Center implements outcome-oriented treatment model with Walgreens

In collaboration with Walgreens, the University of Nebraska Medical Center unveiled a new treatment model to help positively impact clinical outcomes for hypertension and Type 2 diabetes patients through a program made possible by a National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation grant.

KEARNEY, Neb. — In collaboration with Walgreens, the University of Nebraska Medical Center on Wednesday unveiled a new treatment model to help positively impact clinical outcomes for hypertension and Type 2 diabetes patients through a program made possible by a National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation grant.

March 19, 2013

MTM message breaks through in Congress

Last week, I wrote about Medication Therapy Management and a new bill in the House of Representatives to expand the pool of patients who qualify for MTM programs through Medicare. This week, I’m writing about – wait for it – medication therapy management.

Why? Because MTM is important, vitally important, to the future of community pharmacy, and one of the key health and prevention services that will define the profession in the era of health reform and evidence-based health care.

Last week, I wrote about medication therapy management and a new bill in the House of Representatives to expand the pool of patients who qualify for MTM programs through Medicare. This week, I’m writing about — wait for it — medication therapy management.

March 15, 2013

NACDS endorses bipartisan Senate bill to expand MTM services for seniors

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores applauded the introduction of S. 557, the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2013, introduced yesterday by U.S. Sens. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., along with the support of original cosponsors U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Al Franken, D-Minn., Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today applauded the introduction of S. 557, the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2013, introduced yesterday by U.S. Sens. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., along with the support of original cosponsors U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Al Franken, D-Minn., Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. The legislation seeks to expand access to MTM services for senior citizens enrolled in the Medicare program.

March 15, 2013

Sens. Pat Roberts and Kay Hagan introduce legislation to expand MTM access

U.S. Senators Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Kay Hagan, D-N.C., introduced legislation written to lower healthcare costs by helping more seniors better manage their prescriptions.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Pat Roberts, R-Kan. and Kay Hagan, D-N.C. on Thursday introduced legislation written to lower healthcare costs by helping more seniors better manage their prescriptions. The Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act will allow seniors with any high-cost chronic illness to review all their medication and develop a plan of action with a pharmacist.

March 12, 2013

Congress addresses the elephant in the room: Cost savings yielded by pharmacy-based MTM

A 12-to-1 return on investment. That’s what researchers in Minnesota estimated public and private health plan payers can get when they pay pharmacists to provide medication therapy management.

March 8, 2013

Drugs.com launches mobile app

Medication-information website Drugs.com has launched a mobile app that includes access to personal medication records, drug-interaction lists and breaking health news, the company said Friday.

NEW YORK — Medication-information website Drugs.com has launched a mobile app that includes access to personal medication records, drug-interaction lists and breaking health news, the company said Friday.

The Drugs.com Medication Guide is available free of charge for iOS and Android phones and includes tools such as MedNotes, the Symptom Checker and an A-to-Z index of more than 24,000 prescription and OTC drugs, including information about whether drugs are available as generics.

March 8, 2013

NACDS, NCPA praise new MTM bill

A bill that would expand the pool of patients who qualify for medication therapy management under Medicare was introduced to the House of Representatives Thursday with broad industry support.

WASHINGTON — A bill that would expand the pool of patients who qualify for medication therapy management under Medicare was introduced to the House of Representatives Thursday with broad industry support.

Health policy research group NEHI cites that only 50% of patients take their medications properly as prescribed by their doctor, which costs the nation more than $290 billion annually in avoidable health spending annually.

March 8, 2013

OutcomesMTM helping MTM outcomes matter

OutcomesMTM, a medication therapy management delivery system, last week recognized its top chain and independent pharmacies for 2012. Walgreens and Kerr Drug were named top large pharmacy chain and top regional pharmacy chain, respectively.

MTM matters, and people are keeping score. And it's something you can expect to see more of in the age of accountable care and star-based quality ratings.

March 5, 2013

OutcomesMTM names top pharmacy-based MTM centers across the country

OutcomesMTM, a medication therapy management delivery system, on Tuesday recognized its top chain and independent pharmacies for 2012.

DES MOINES, Iowa — OutcomesMTM, a medication therapy management delivery system, on Tuesday recognized its top chain and independent pharmacies for 2012. Walgreens and Kerr Drug were named top large pharmacy chain and top regional pharmacy chain, respectively.

March 4, 2013

NCPA submits comments to CMS over wide range of issues

The National Community Pharmacists Association submitted written comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take action on a wide range of what NCPA characterizes as "anti-patient, anti-pharmacist practices," the association announced.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday submitted written comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take action on a wide range of what NCPA characterizes as "anti-patient, anti-pharmacist practices," the association announced.

March 1, 2013

NACDS touts MTM in response to CMS call letter

Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a "call letter" to lay out various policies and requirements for the coming program year within the Medicare program.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a "call letter" to lay out various policies and requirements for the coming program year within the Medicare program.

February 28, 2013

Senate hearing looks at delivery system reform

Medicare and Medicaid are working with the private sector to create a roadmap for the future of healthcare delivery, and a congressional hearing was convened Thursday to ensure it does that.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Medicare and Medicaid are working with the private sector to create a roadmap for the future of healthcare delivery, and a congressional hearing was convened Thursday to ensure it does that.

The Senate Finance Committee hearing, titled "Delivery System Reform: Progress Report from CMS," included Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

February 25, 2013

APhA survey finds growing demand for MTM services

The American Pharmacists Association has released the latest edition of a publication for pharmacists who provide medication therapy management services, the professional group said.

WASHINGTON — The American Pharmacists Association has released the latest edition of a publication for pharmacists who provide medication therapy management services, the professional group said Monday.

February 22, 2013

Community-based diabetes efforts should involve retail pharmacies

The YMCA is offering a demonstration project to show that its YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program — part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's broader National Diabetes Prevention Program — can lower the incidence of Type 2 diabetes and reduce medical costs incurred by Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is funding the project, whereby YMCAs in 17 communities that deliver the program will offer it at no cost to 10,000 Medicare enrollees over the next three years, and the YMCA expects it to save Medicare $4.2 million over three years and $53 million over six years.

It's been said that, "It takes a village to raise a child," and because chronic disease is an issue that affects communities as a whole - not just individuals - it would make sense for community-based organizations to target a growing national health crisis like the diabetes epidemic.

February 7, 2013

CMS study further proof community pharmacy can improve patients' lives, says NACDS

National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson, calls a new study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services “further proof of community pharmacy’s ability to improve patients’ lives while making healthcare more affordable in this country.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) president and CEO Steve Anderson, calls a new study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “further proof of community pharmacy’s ability to improve patients’ lives while making healthcare more affordable in this country.”

February 4, 2013

NACDS, NCPA urge expanded role for pharmacists in new healthcare models

Pharmacy groups are advocating that Congress expand the role of pharmacists in new healthcare delivery models.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Pharmacy groups are advocating that Congress expand the role of pharmacists in new healthcare delivery models.

February 4, 2013

Nebraska medication-management research study gets NACDS Foundation grant

A university research project to look at the potential effects on patient health of incorporating medication management strategies into existing care teams has won a grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' philanthropic arm.

ARLINGTON, Va. — A university research project to look at the potential effects on patient health of incorporating medication management strategies into existing care teams has won a grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' philanthropic arm.

The NACDS Foundation said it gave the University of Nebraska Medical Center one of three research grants for the project, which will look at the effects of the strategies when they're incorporated into teams such as medical homes and accountable care organizations.

February 1, 2013

MTM improves outcomes in diabetes patients, study finds

Face-to-face medication therapy management services can improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Face-to-face medication therapy management services can improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

February 1, 2013

Pharmacists can improve health outcomes

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota and nearby healthcare institutions shows that patients with diabetes experience better outcomes when they undergo face-to-face medication therapy management sessions with pharmacists.

Drug Store News has reported enough about the benefits of MTM to fill a book, but a scientific study showing a demonstrable benefit to it only makes the case stronger. It speaks to the growing role of the pharmacist as a key member of the patient's healthcare team, every bit as important as nurses and doctors, and also points to a role of growing importance to pharmacy retailers themselves as they seek to distinguish themselves in the marketplace.