Pharmacists key to reform of health care, speakers say
Primary care roles, drug expert on health care team, improved
adherence—contributions will be many.
The essential roles of the pharmacist in a reformed health care
system were discussed at a roundtable held in the nation’s capital
on Wednesday, October 7. A distinguished group of policy experts
addressed implications of health care reform (HCR) for patients,
pharmacy, and the health care system in general.
The roundtable was attended by APhA’s Vice President of
Government Affairs Kristina Lunner. Among the sponsors of the
event was Campaigns
and Elections, a publication that bills itself as meeting the
needs of “all those who touch politics, from high-profile players
to political junkies and casual observers.” When Lunner posed the
question about the role of pharmacists in a reformed health care system,
the panel provided a varied response.
Pharmacists and nurse practitioners are essential to health care
delivery, Howard Dean, MD, former governor of Vermont and chairman of
the Democratic National Committee until earlier this year, said. But a
fee-for-service payment model is not the way to go, he added.
That view was supported by roundtable moderator Michael Chernew, PhD,
of Harvard Medical School. He noted that under HCR, organizations such
as medical homes or accountable care organizations will need financial
incentives to provide better care.
Chernew also emphasized the need to get out of the silo mentality
that often keeps pharmacy separate from other sectors of health
care.
AARP’s John Rother agreed that there is a role for
nonphysicians, a position that is reflected in an AARP
chronic care management report released by that group
earlier this year. Efforts in Washington State in which physicians
diagnose and pharmacists prescribe work exceedingly well, added
Christopher Badgley of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of
America.
From pharmacy’s current frontlines, more could be done today to
address the vexing problem of poor medication adherence, Carol Kelly of
the National Association of Chain Drug Stores said. For some drug
products, only 15% of prescriptions are taken on a regular basis as they
should be, she added, and having pharmacists coach patients on adherence
to prescribed medications could create a winning scenario for all
involved: patients, professionals, pharmacies, payers, and
pharmaceutical companies.
Related resources on www.pharmacist.com
Related resources on the Web:
L. Michael Posey, BPharm (mposey)
Posted October 8, 2009, 1:00 pm EDT
|
