The terms “Medication Therapy Management” (MTM) and “Comprehensive Medication Review”(CMR) are being used more in the pharmacy literature. The pharmacy profession has hung their hopes on these activities to redeem itself and prove that pharmacists can make valid contributions to the medical team and save money in the process. The questionable part I am discovering […]

Many times medical personnel take it for granted that patients know the name and reasons for taking their medications. While some patients do, a lot do not. Patients trust their provider and trust that the provider will do the right thing in helping them get well, so they do not ask. As a pharmacist, when […]

Recently, during a comprehensive medication review encounter, I questioned my patient on why he discontinued his diuretic. He hesitated a while and then said that the physician didn’t stop the medication, he did. I didn’t expect this answer. Upon further questioning, the patient confided that he had lost faith in the physician, and did not […]

Sometimes it’s hard to see beyond what is in front of us. We see the tangible, physical stuff and we put faith in it. The intangible, invisible stuff – the stuff we cannot see seems less important to us because we don’t think it as real. In healthcare, when symptoms are present, we feel something. […]

There has been a surge in 90-day supply prescriptions with refills for medications. The major factor in all of this is the great cost-savings from the patients’ prescription drug plan that benefit the patients’ pocketbook. After all, why pay 3 copayments for 3 months when you can pay 2 copayments and get the third for […]

Healthcare is changing rapidly. Patients are mostly seen by an ARNP or a PA, not their physician. I know this is not always true, but it is becoming the norm. This norm is catching steam and soon will be accepted medical practice. Why? Because reimbursement rates are being cut by insurance companies and the federal […]

There is a lot of medication guidance on the web and in the press about patients needing to keep all their prescription records on file at one pharmacy. This is a great way for the pharmacist to keep track of allergies, medical conditions and drug interactions when a new prescription is brought in for filling. […]