Drug Topics - February 11, 2008 - (Page 24) 24 DRUG TOPICS FEBRUARY 11, 2008 www.drugtopics.com Community Practice Innovative MTM programs are on the rise Reid Paul edication therapy management (MTM) pro- ket the program to other HMOs and pharmacists in grams continue to proliferate as pharmacists collaborative practice settings. “I’m convinced that if try and make the case for its long-term viabil- enough insurance companies buy into this, it will beity. While the programs vary, most share a focus on come a standard of practice,” Nichol predicted. “This gathering data that will help establish their cost savings requires segregated time when you do nothing else. and benefits. This is a dedicated activity at the point of care and colIn Ohio, Molina Healthcare is expanding a MTM laborative with physicians.” program that looks to leverage the health maintenance And Ohio is not alone. Wisconsin’s quality improveorganization’s collaboment organization rative care facilities. Ac(QIO) appears ready to cording to Allen start its own pilot pro“I’m convinced that if Nichol, Pharm.D., gram that also is working enough insurance who helped develop with custom software. the program, it is modcompanies buy into this, Unlike many programs, eled around a similar Quality it will become a standard the Wisconsin (WQC) program he developed Collaborative’s at his Grandview FamMTM program will not of practice.” ily Practice facility in focus on a single preAllen Nichol, Pharm.D. Columbus, Ohio. The program reimburses scription drug plan or pharmacists at $54 for an initial visit, $34 insurance company, but Grandview Family Practice for a secondary visit, and $25 for each adrather will draw reimditional 15-minute increment. bursement from a number of sources. The 50 pharmaThe program is restricted to diabetics, in part be- cies involved underwent training in January to use the cause of the long-term-care costs associated with the McKesson MTM software program. WQC hopes to disease and the potential complications. “Diabetes evaluate the efficacy of the program and its impact on has multiple morbidities associated with it,” Nichol pharmacy workflow. explained. “We manage blood pressure, congestive The Maryland and District of Columbia QIO is also heart failure, thyroid problems, kidney issues, and offering a unique model for its MTM program. Delmore. Diabetes is just the beginning, but they are all marva Foundation is initiating the program in cooperaconnected.” tion with Medi-CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, UniOne of the key elements of the program has been versity of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and Howard Molina’s willingness to accept an expensive formulary University School of Pharmacy. The Delmarva program with minimal changes. “We have been able to work is unique in that it also involves local schools of pharmawith Molina on some key medications and they made cy. According to Beth Franklin, implementation advisor sure they were available,” Nichol said. at Delmarva, the relationship with the schools “has Under the program more than half (51%) of the pa- helped us reach out to the pharmacy community.” tients reach the goals for glycemic, blood pressure, and Of course, not all programs are looking to reinvent lipid levels. “This program is five to seven times the na- MTM models. The National Business Coalition on tional average for getting patients to goal in all three ar- Health (NBCH) recently announced it is funding a eas,” Nichol added. “We can do that with any patient number of projects designed around the Asheville Prowho is willing to make lifestyle changes and allow us to ject, one of the earliest studies showing the efficacy of make medication changes.” MTM. NBCH’s Diabetes Seed Grant Program is inTo create the program, Nichol developed custom tended to support programs for improved diabetes software, a training program, and a treatment algo- management with primary funding from Novo rithm. Once he collects data from the project, Nichol Nordisk and additional support from Merck, Pfizer, and his partner Kenneth Bachman, Ph.D., plan to mar- and sanofi-aventis. DT M http://www.drugtopics.com
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