What is the Impact of Medication Therapy Management in Pharmacy?

Medication therapy management (MTM) is a comprehensive approach to ensuring that patients are receiving the best possible care for their medication-related needs. It involves a collaborative effort between the patient, their healthcare provider, and their pharmacist to optimize drug therapy and improve patient outcomes. MTM has a significant impact on the pharmacy industry, including the following:

Improved Patient Outcomes

One of the primary benefits of MTM is improved patient outcomes. Pharmacists who practice MTM are able to identify and address potential drug-related problems before they become serious. This can help prevent adverse drug reactions, reduce hospitalizations, and improve overall patient health.

Increased Patient Satisfaction

Patients who receive MTM services are often more satisfied with their care. This is because they feel that their pharmacist is taking a proactive approach to managing their medication therapy and is looking out for their best interests. As a result, patients are more likely to adhere to their medication regimen and are more likely to stay engaged with their healthcare provider.

Improved Cost-Effectiveness

MTM can also be cost-effective for patients and healthcare providers. By identifying potential drug-related problems early, pharmacists can help prevent costly hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Also, pharmacists can work with healthcare providers to find less expensive, yet equally effective, medication options for patients.

Medication therapy management is essential because drug-related problems and mismanagement of medications are huge public health issues in the United States. It’s estimated that 1.5 million people each year suffer health problems as a result of poor medication management, a situation that has led to  $177 billion in healthcare costs.

Some examples of medication therapy management include:

Medication therapy reviews

This involves collecting information on specific patients related to the medications they are taking, evaluating the medication therapies to identify any problems, and then creating a plan to address the problems.

Pharmacotherapy consults

These are consultations provided by pharmacists to patients who typically have more complicated conditions. Pharmacists who provide these types of consults usually have a greater degree of expertise and training in a certain specialty.

Disease management

In this type of therapy, pharmacists help patients to manage chronic disease conditions. Pharmacists provide information and advice not only about drug therapy, but other lifestyle changes that patients need to make in order to manage their condition.

Pharmacogenomics

This is a type of medication management where pharmacists are involved in interpreting and using a patient’s genetic information to determine the best course of therapy for their particular condition.

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