Effectiveness of a Centralized Medication Therapy Management Team to Improve Medication Outcomes

Purpose/Objectives: To evaluate the effect of centralized medication therapy management (MTM) services on patient care in a regional community pharmacy chain. Methods: Wegmans pharmacy created a centralized team of pharmacy interns and pharmacists to provide medication therapy management services. The team provides MTM services, including comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) and targeted interventions, for all 88 locations. Additionally, the central team provides education and support to store level pharmacists to allow MTM services to be provided in the stores whenever possible. The service was evaluated using national quality measure benchmarks including CMR completion rate, proportion of days covered (PDC) for statins, oral diabetes and renin-angiotensin system agents and appropriate use of statins in patients with diabetes. Results: Efficacy of the centralized model was assessed by comparing the CMR completion rate, adherence to select agents and appropriate use of statins in patients with diabetes before implementation and after 1 year. Final results of this project are expected April 2016. Implications for Pharmacy Practice/Healthcare: With increased emphasis on quality measures improvement, community pharmacists are faced with balancing medication management and continued dispensing responsibilities; additional methods to provide safe and effective care are needed. Centralizing clinical services may reduce the burden on pharmacists providing services in the store allowing them to focus on patients who will most benefit from in person medication management services