Pharmacists Play an Important Role in Medication Management

Medication-related problems and medication mismanagement are a massive public health problem in the United States. Experts estimate that 1.5 million preventable adverse events occur each year that result in $177 billion in injury and death. As medication experts, community pharmacists are critical to helping patients stick with and get the most out of their prescription drugs. A pharmacist delivering a 30-minute MTM consultation can be an extremely cost-effective way to reduce these events.

Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced The Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2015 (S.776). S. 776 would expand MTM eligibility to Medicare beneficiaries with cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes. “We have recognized the value of pharmacists in the health system for many years. They are especially valuable for our Kansas communities and are sometimes the only health provider in our rural towns” said Sen. Roberts. “MTM is an important tool in the pharmacists’ tool box for many patients but especially for those suffering from chronic conditions. The Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act gives patients access to valuable counseling and management for their conditions, and takes the essential steps to guarantee what we already know: that MTM will save the system money while providing higher quality care for patients. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.”

The NCPA & NACDS strongly endorse The Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2015. Douglas Hoey NCPA CEO stated “As medication experts, community pharmacists are critical to helping patients stick with and get the most out of their prescription drugs. Yet so much more can be done to improve medication adherence and achieve better health outcomes at lower overall costs. That is where MTM services can play a vital role, and it is why NCPA strongly supports this bipartisan legislation. S. 776 would expand MTM eligibility to Medicare beneficiaries with cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hyperlipidemia or diabetes.”

If you are an independent pharmacy owner/operator and are concerned about the effect this could have on the value of your pharmacy and would like more information about pharmacy valuations please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.