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ARLINGTON, Va. — To coincide with a congressional hearing on medication therapy management, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores released a statement on Wednesday emphasizing the value of pharmacists in providing MTM services, especially in regard to improving medication adherence, patient health and health care affordability for Medicare patients.
To coincide with a congressional hearing on medication therapy management, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores released a statement on Wednesday emphasizing the value of pharmacists in providing MTM services, especially in regard to improving medication adherence, patient health and health care affordability for Medicare patients.
In its statement to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, NACDS highlighted "mounting evidence of the positive impact of MTM on patient health."
Studies conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Congressional Budget Office and the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee show that improved medication use leads to better health outcomes for patients, including reduced mortality, the reliance on fewer health care services — such as hospital readmissions and emergency room visits — and more cost-effective treatment of chronic conditions, according to NACDS.
"Poor medication adherence," per the NACDS statement, "costs the U.S. health care system $290 billion annually."
Bolstering the organization’s statement of support, Jesse McCullough, a pharmacist and director of Rite Aid’s field clinical services, testified before the House on the importance of MTM and the vital role pharmacists play in this type of health care management. "Rite Aid has participated in MTM programs since their inception, and we have helped thousands of patients get more out of MTM to optimize their medication therapy," McCullough said. “The fact of the matter is that we can do more." He added that community pharmacists present an optimal solution for expanding the Medicare Part D MTM program.
As one of the most accessible health care providers, community pharmacists, according to McCullough, are in a unique position to provide MTM services through regular interactions with their patients by actively managing drug therapy and by identifying, preventing and resolving medication-related problems. Nearly all Americans, 89%, according to NACDS, live within five miles of a community retail pharmacy.
NACDS also expressed support for bipartisan legislation introduced earlier this year by Sens. Pat Roberts (R., Kan.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D., N.H.) which would help patients with specific chronic conditions receive these MTM services. The legislation — the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2015 — would provide access to MTM for Medicare Part D patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, COPD and elevated cholesterol.
"Reforming the Medicare Part D program should be accomplished through efficiently targeting beneficiaries who can most benefit from the services that will improve medication adherence and overall program effectiveness," NACDS stated.
In addition, NACDS reaffirmed its support of another House bill, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, which would allow pharmacists to work to their full capabilities by providing Medicare Part B patients with such pharmacy services as immunizations and disease screenings.
