NCPA, NACDS endorse MTM expansion bill

Both the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) were enthusiastic about the introduction of bipartisan legislation introduced March 7 by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Ron Kind (D-Wis.) that will expand access to medication therapy management programs for Medicare beneficiaries.

H.R. 1024, the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2013, will increase the number of Medicare Part D beneficiaries who qualify for one-on-one counseling with a licensed pharmacist to any patient with a chronic medical condition. At the moment, only those individuals with specific multiple chronic conditions are eligible for MTM.

“NCPA is proud to support common-sense, cost-effective legislation that recognizes the growing contributions of pharmacists to patient care,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA. “Allowing more Medicare beneficiaries to receive one-on-one medication counseling from their trusted pharmacist will ensure that more seniors are taking their medication properly.”

MTM produces significant cost savings, according to research reports. In Minnesota, a 12:1 return-on-investment for MTM was demonstrated in one study. In North Carolina, Kerr Drug has reported that MTM programs have helped seniors and produced a 13:1 return, NCPA reported in a prepared statement.

“Innovative pharmacy services such as MTM help to improve patient health and healthcare affordability, especially for those suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and other conditions,” explained NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.