Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Volume 5, Issue 4 , Pages 376-381, December 2009

Ready, willing, and able to provide MTM services?: A survey of community pharmacists in the USA

  • Anandi V. Law, B.Pharm., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Pomona, CA, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Dean & Chief Academic Officer and Professor of Pharmacy, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy - Georgia Campus, 309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, USA. Tel.: +909 469 5645; fax: +909 469 5428.
    • ,
  • Mark P. Okamoto, Pharm.D.

      Affiliations

    • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy, Suwanee, GA, USA
    • ,
  • Kelly Brock, Pharm.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Pomona, CA, USA

published online 29 April 2009.

Abstract 

Background

Changes in US Medicare legislation could benefit pharmacy's attempt to make medication therapy management (MTM) practice more commonplace; however, little is known about pharmacists' capabilities and preferences to do so.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore US pharmacists' perceived preparedness, willingness, and challenges toward providing MTM services.

Methods

A brief purpose of the survey and its website link were included in the electronic weekly newsletter of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) in January 2007. The web-based survey consisted of 8 demographic questions, 8 questions examining preparedness and willingness of the respondents regarding MTM, 2 questions regarding reimbursement to pharmacists, and 2 checklists for challenges in establishing MTM services.

Results

Most of the 143 respondents indicated that they were aware of MTM, and 92 (65%) reported that they were currently practicing MTM. A majority of the sample agreed that pharmacists should provide MTM and have the ability to do so. Major challenges reported by the sample include the different specification of MTM by each health plan, time, staffing, and reimbursement issues. Respondents selected valid measures of program effectiveness but revealed that they needed help with documentation and billing. Expected reimbursement range was $1-10/minute.

Conclusion

Community independent pharmacists reported being ready, willing, and able to provide MTM services, but need assistance in the process, that is, standardized MTM protocols, documentation and billing.

Keywords: MTM preparedness, Community pharmacists providing MTM, MTM survey of community pharmacists, Pharmacist readiness and willingness for MTM, Challenges to MTM

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 An earlier version of this document was presented as an abstract at the American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting and Expo, March 14–17, 2008, San Diego CA.

 Potential Conflicts of Interest Disclosure: The authors do not have any conflict of interest or financial interests in any service or product mentioned in the article.

PII: S1551-7411(09)00003-5

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2009.01.001

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Volume 5, Issue 4 , Pages 376-381, December 2009

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