DC, MARYLAND PHARMACY SCHOOLS JOIN TO MAKE MEDICARE MTM WORK

A new program aimed athelping Medicare beneficiariesin Maryland and theDistrict of Columbia useprescription drugs moreappropriately and effectivelyat their local pharmacieshas been launched bythe Delmarva Foundation.

The program relies onmedication therapy managementservices (MTMS)in community-based pharmaciesto reduce costsand enhance outcomes by"improving patients' understandingof the medicationsthey are taking" andby assigning pharmaciststo assess the appropriatenessof the drugs prescribed.

The Delmarva Foundation,which is Medicare'sdesignated Quality ImprovementOrganization for DCand Maryland, is workingwith pharmacy schools atHoward University and theUniversity of Maryland toimplement the new MTMprogram. "This initiative isa win-win for providers" aswell as for patients, saidofficials at the organization."Medicare beneficiarieshave been able to takeadvantage of the knowledgeand expertise ofcommunity pharmaciststo help them understandtheir medications and totake more control of managingtheir own health."