Alabama pharmacist Main appeals to Obama: Rural pharmacy crucial to
patient care
Pharmacy advocates share their stories on healthreform.gov.
Pharmacist.com is proud to provide accounts of pharmacists’
dedication, initiative, and commitment to the cause of advancing our
profession. This letter from Julia Main, PharmD, continues our series of
selections from contributions to pharmacist.com and healthreform.gov.
Main practices at Main Drug Store in Union Springs, AL, where she finds
that an underserved rural population is in special need of pharmacist
care.
If you haven’t done so already, post your own story on healthreform.gov,
and send a copy of the text to Allison Wiley at APhA.
Dear Mr.
President:
As you develop health care reform proposals, I ask that you recognize
the role that pharmacists can play in improving the quality and safety
of medication use and in improving health outcomes.
I practice in a rural area of Alabama. The majority of our patients
are African Americans with multiple health conditions. As a pharmacist,
I am one of the most accessible health care providers in this rural
area. I am in the unique position to help coordinate patient care,
meaning that I can help patients receive Medicare coverage for their
medications, refer them to the appropriate health care provider, and
more. I also provide preventive care such as medication therapy
management (MTM). I perform a thorough analysis of the patient’s
medication use with the goal of monitoring appropriate conditions,
preventing medication interactions and side effects, and providing
patient education. MTM is especially valuable for patients with chronic
medical conditions living in underserved rural areas. Unfortunately, my
medication expertise is one of the most underutilized resources in the
health care system.
There is evidence that pharmacists, collaborating with patients and
physicians, have improved the health outcomes and have reduced health
care costs in both the public and private sectors through MTM programs.
Patient access to pharmacist-provided patient care services is
absolutely essential to achieving better quality care in our health care
system. The health care reform debate provides an opportunity to build
upon these public and private MTM successes.
Therefore, as you consider how to improve our nation's health care
system, do not overlook the valuable role that pharmacists can play. I
urge you to expand patient access to pharmacist services, and I welcome
the opportunity to discuss my experiences in improving patient outcomes.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Related resources on www.pharmacist.com
Related resources on the Web:
Beth Farnstrom (bfarnstrom)
Posted October 7, 2009, 11:00 am EDT
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