NACDS, NCPA Endorse Rep. Mike Ross' Medication Therapy Management Legislation

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 30 Jun 2009 - 3:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions

Today, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) announced their support for H.R. 3108, the Medication Therapy Management Benefits Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR). The bill was introduced on Friday June 26, 2009, and was immediately referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and Committee on Ways and Means, two House committees with jurisdiction over comprehensive healthcare reform legislation.

Pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) involves a licensed pharmacist's work with a patient to review, monitor, and identify problems with a patient's medication plan.

"We appreciate the hard-work and dedication of Rep. Ross as he continues to advocate for pro-patient and pro-pharmacy healthcare reform legislation in Congress," stated NACDS President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. "Rep. Ross' bill signifies the importance of pharmacist-provided medication therapy management for improving medication adherence, enhancing patient health, and reducing long-term healthcare costs."

"Medication therapy management is a gateway to improving patient adherence and their outcomes by utilizing the clinical expertise of pharmacists," said Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, NCPA Executive Vice President and CEO. "H.R. 3108 will expand the pool of Medicare Part D patients that can access this valuable service and recognize pharmacists for the savings they provide to the healthcare system. We thank Congressman Mike Ross for introducing this bill, and urge other members of the House to support it. We call on the Senate to introduce similar legislation. Ultimately for health care reform to be fully successful, it must include proposals such as this to improve quality while lowering overall costs."

Poor medication adherence has been estimated to cost over $177 billion per year, according to an article by Frank R. Ernst, PharmD, and Amy J. Grizzle, PharmD, "Drug-Related Morbidity and Mortality: Updating the Cost-of-Illness Model," published in the Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association. This article was published in 2001, and it is widely anticipated that this figure has risen substantially since that time. Direct and indirect costs include loss of productivity, increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations, among others.

Studies have shown that MTM reduces health complications and costs. For example, one Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota study showed a reduction of $12 in overall healthcare costs for every $1 invested in MTM.

Source
National Association of Chain Drug Stores