{"id":51896,"date":"2022-06-09T09:30:27","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T13:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=51896"},"modified":"2026-03-26T12:14:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:14:48","slug":"pharmacy-medication-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pharmacy-medication-management\/","title":{"rendered":"7 tips for medication management sessions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly a <\/span>quarter<\/span> of Americans have used five or more prescription drugs in the past month. However, this shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise. As the population ages, more people are taking multiple prescription drugs to treat different chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, chronic pain, and depression. However, the more prescriptions you take, the higher your risk of drug interactions, adverse effects, and forgetting to take one or more medications. This is where medication therapy management (MTM)\u2014and pharmacists\u2014comes in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

MTM was defined and implemented through the <\/span>Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA)<\/span> in 2003. This legislation established Medicare Part D and the role of pharmacists as key members of the healthcare team. As MTM services continue to be performed across the nation, it\u2019s important that pharmacists and healthcare providers continue developing and refining their medication management strategy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is medication therapy management?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The definition of MTM arose out of an extensive group discussion started by the <\/span>American Pharmacy Association (APhA)<\/span><\/a> in 2004. Participants of the group included members of various pharmacist organizations. They reached an agreement on the definition of MTM, which strengthened the role of pharmacy and the importance of the services that pharmacists offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to APhA, medication therapy management is a particular service or set of services performed to improve the therapeutic outcomes of patients. These services are provided by healthcare providers, including pharmacists, and involve five essential components:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Medication therapy review (MTR)<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Personal medication record (PMR)<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Medication-related action plan (MAP)<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Intervention or referral<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Documentation and follow-up<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why is medication therapy management important?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    MTM is important because it helps patients get the most benefit from their medications. For example, patients may not be fully aware of how to take certain medications, such as inhalers or patches. MTM services also help healthcare systems <\/span>save on costs<\/span><\/a> linked to medication issues, such as medication errors and potential hospital visits resulting from adverse effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Medication therapy management examples<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Because it involves a broad range of services, there are many ways that pharmacists and healthcare providers can optimize therapy through MTM. Pharmacists may work within a collaborative practice agreement to perform MTM services. Pharmacy medication management examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n