— PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT —
PHARMACIST-LED
MEDICATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT
P
harmacists today are actively participating in direct patient care activities due to the increasing complexities of modern medication therapies. Medication therapy management (MTM) services are pharmacist-led consultations that optimize drug therapy and improve therapeutic outcomes of patients. All Michigan Medicaid beneficiaries (including both fee-for-service and managed care and excluding Medicare Part D) have been eligible for MTM services since April 1, 2017. These activities go beyond saving healthcare dollars; they improve and even save patients’ lives. MTM services focus on the patient rather than the product. Medication management services strive to improve collaboration among the various healthcare professions while optimizing medication usage and patientcentered outcomes.
BY FARAH JALLOUL,
Pharm.D., MBA, director of professional development, Michigan Pharmacists Association
THE BENEFITS OF MEDICATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT Clinical Service: Pharmacists help patients effectively manage all their medications and treatments through one-on-one counseling, collaboration with other healthcare professionals and follow up. Safety: MTM keeps patients safe by minimizing interactions and ensuring all medications are appropriate. Patient-centered: MTM aids pharmacists in enabling their patients to take control of their medication(s), therapy goals and overall health with confidence. Cost Savings: MTM is proven to help patients reduce their healthcare costs, because improving patient health prevents future healthcare issues.
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“Pharmacists help patients effectively manage all their medications and treatments through one-on-one counseling, collaboration with other healthcare professionals and follow up.” MichiganPharmacists.org
