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- Jun 27, 2010
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I decided to post this here because I mostly reach out to PCPs during my typical day.
What is your perspective on communications from pharmacists? Not just the run of the mill prior authorization and refill requests but actual clinical questions/suggestions about treatment?
Example:
Patient has been on Toprol QD for years, get a new eRx for Metoprolol Tartrate QD. I assume this is a mistake (probably made by an MA), ask the patient if his MD said anything about changing his med patient replies 'no'.
I call and only get an MA who tells me "its what the MD wanted, just fill it" or puts me on hold for 5 minutes and then tell me they will call back and never do.
Or...Patient has been on Losartan 100 QD, we get new eRx for Lisinopril/HCTZ from Cardiologist, call both MDs to determine if Losartan should be DC'ed. Patient insists on taking both.
Same outcome with MA.
These are relatively minor but you get the point. Do you guys see calls from us as annoying and pointless?
I think tons of patients would benefit from what we call Medication Therapy Management (MTM); specifically Comprehensive Medication Reviews (CMRs).
http://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/mtm-advisory-board-updates-definition-of-key-pharmacist-service
Do you all view this as intrusive or would you be open to receiving communications from pharmacists with issues identified? Furthermore, would you ever be open to actually speaking to a pharmacist to go over a patient (discuss adherence barriers, cost barriers, alternative treatment approaches, treatment rationale, etc.)?
It seems that a lot of providers (especially older ones) seem to think we just make sure the right pills are in the right bottle. There are many value add services we can provide that do not (in my opinion) consist of practicing medicine but rather ensuring success with drug therapies. 4 years of pharmacy school taught me a ton but I am a little tired of having therapeutics discussions with MAs.
Thoughts?
What is your perspective on communications from pharmacists? Not just the run of the mill prior authorization and refill requests but actual clinical questions/suggestions about treatment?
Example:
Patient has been on Toprol QD for years, get a new eRx for Metoprolol Tartrate QD. I assume this is a mistake (probably made by an MA), ask the patient if his MD said anything about changing his med patient replies 'no'.
I call and only get an MA who tells me "its what the MD wanted, just fill it" or puts me on hold for 5 minutes and then tell me they will call back and never do.
Or...Patient has been on Losartan 100 QD, we get new eRx for Lisinopril/HCTZ from Cardiologist, call both MDs to determine if Losartan should be DC'ed. Patient insists on taking both.
Same outcome with MA.
These are relatively minor but you get the point. Do you guys see calls from us as annoying and pointless?
I think tons of patients would benefit from what we call Medication Therapy Management (MTM); specifically Comprehensive Medication Reviews (CMRs).
http://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/mtm-advisory-board-updates-definition-of-key-pharmacist-service
Do you all view this as intrusive or would you be open to receiving communications from pharmacists with issues identified? Furthermore, would you ever be open to actually speaking to a pharmacist to go over a patient (discuss adherence barriers, cost barriers, alternative treatment approaches, treatment rationale, etc.)?
It seems that a lot of providers (especially older ones) seem to think we just make sure the right pills are in the right bottle. There are many value add services we can provide that do not (in my opinion) consist of practicing medicine but rather ensuring success with drug therapies. 4 years of pharmacy school taught me a ton but I am a little tired of having therapeutics discussions with MAs.
Thoughts?