Conference Highlights Pharmacist-Provided Medication Therapy Management, USA

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 05 Oct 2007 - 18:00 PDT

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A conference of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has emerged as critically important to the effort to improve patient care and outcomes through pharmacist-provided Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services. The late-September event in Philadelphia generated additional momentum for MTM's advancement through the release and opening of public comment on the draft publication Medication Therapy Management in Pharmacy Practice, Core Elements of an MTM Service (version 2.0), which seeks to define and harness the power of MTM for the benefit of the health care system and patient outcomes.

The conference, Medication Therapy Management Services in Community Pharmacy: Building Process, Partnership and Outcomes, provided a comprehensive examination of the current state of MTM services. It also explored the challenges, opportunities and benefits of MTM, which involves improving medication use, outcomes and quality of care through the involvement of pharmacists, the healthcare providers who are the medication therapy experts.

"The goal of widespread MTM adoption is bigger than any one organization," stated APhA President Winnie A. Landis, BPharm. "MTM services have the potential to revolutionize the delivery of health care and the role of pharmacists in this country."

"It is vital that we communicate to government, and all payers and players in the health care system, the substance of this conference and what it means for the role of community pharmacy in health care," stated NACDS President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.

The conference, attended by more than 250 pharmacy professionals, technicians and students was moderated by Jean-Venable R. "Kelly" Goode, Pharm.D., Associate Professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. APhA President Landis set the tone in her welcoming remarks by telling the audience that "this is a very exciting time for pharmacy - a time of challenge and unprecedented opportunity."

The keynote address was delivered by Leigh Ann Ross, PharmD, Legislative Assistant for Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss) and Rebecca Chater, BPharm, Director of Clinical Services for Kerr Drug. They provided a high level overview of MTM in pharmacy practice, the evolution of MTM since the formation of the consensus definition in 2004, and the role of public policy and legislation. They noted, for example, the impact that policies such as the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and the Pharmacist Access and Recognition in Medicare (PhARM) Act of 2007 can have on improving care to patients.

The conference offered motivation and implementation tools to enable broad participation of pharmacists in the delivery of MTM services to patients. Sessions showcased public and private payer perspectives, lessons in innovation from pharmacy practice leaders, and strategies to effectively implement MTM services to provide the maximum overall impact on patient care. The importance of these services provided by pharmacists was stressed by presenters within and outside of the pharmacy profession. One presenter, Brenda Mills, BS shared her personal story of the dramatic impact MTM had on her life and her wellbeing.

The final sessions of the conference offered a glimpse of new and evolving technology, tools and resources that will potentially revolutionize patient care and treatment within this country. A shift in focus by healthcare policy makers, patient advocates and healthcare providers is focusing on healthcare quality and patient safety. Attendees heard that pharmacists have the potential to significantly improve the medication use process, improve patient care, and assist in conserving valuable healthcare resources through MTM services.

The time is now, the conference concluded, for widespread acceptance both within and outside the profession of pharmacists' unique role a as MTM service providers.

About the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 60,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States.

About the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)

NACDS represents the nation's leading retail chain pharmacies and suppliers, helping them better meet the changing needs of their patients and customers. Chain pharmacies operate more than 38,000 pharmacies, employ 114,000 pharmacists, fill more than 2.4 billion prescriptions yearly, and have annual sales of nearly $700 billion. Other members include almost 1,000 suppliers of products and services to the chain drug industry. NACDS international membership has grown to include 104 members from 29 countries. For more information about NACDS, visit http://www.nacds.org.