Practice Transformation
To improve population health, invest in primary care
Investing in primary care is the key to improving population health and reducing disparities, according to the authors of a Health Affairs Forefront post. ”Strengthening primary care benefits everyone by improving overall health and lowering health care costs. By improving how the health care system connects with patients, generalists and specialists can support the patients who need them most, when they need them the most. This will make our health care system more efficient and improve patient experience by making care more accessible and responsive—ultimately improving health and increasing equity.” (Health Affairs Forefront)
Embedded pharmacists can improve inhaler technique
Pharmacist-led education on the proper use of inhalers resulted in improved technique for those with asthma and COPD, according to a small study published in Hospital Pharmacy. It did not, however, affect adherence. “Correct inhaler technique is difficult for patients to achieve,” lead author Bianca Mayzel, PharmD., notes. “Pharmacists embedded within primary care or specialty clinics can assist patients and their caregivers in teaching proper inhaler use and ensuring continued proper use.” (Physician’s Weekly; Hospital Pharmacy)
Evidence & Innovation
PGx testing may curb drug-gene interactions in MDD
Pharmacogenetic testing, reduces adverse drug-gene interactions in patients with major depressive disorder reduced, but it had a small, nonpersistent effect on symptom remission, according to research published in JAMA. “While I don’t think testing should be standard of practice, I also don’t think we should put barriers into the testing until we can better understand how to target the testing” to those who will benefit the most, study investigator David W. Oslin, MD, told Medscape Medical News. (Medscape Medical News; JAMA)
Insurance coverage doesn’t mitigate disparities
Health insurance is not a proxy for good health: Many who depend on employer-sponsored health care face significant gaps in diagnosis and care across race, ethnicity and income levels, according to analysis from Morgan Health and NORC at the University of Chicago. “These findings are a wake-up call for business leaders,” says Dan Mendelson, Morgan Health CEO. “The business community has a responsibility to understand and recognize these disparities, and more importantly, act to eliminate them. This will require active engagement with health plans and providers to close gaps and improve health outcomes.” (Modern Healthcare; announcement)
Policy Solutions
Comments due Sept 19 on therapeutic equivalence
The FDA published the draft guidance for Evaluation of Therapeutic Equivalence, which explains the FDA’s therapeutic equivalence evaluation. Therapeutic equivalents are approved drug products that the FDA has determined are pharmaceutical equivalents for which bioequivalence has been demonstrated. The guidance is part of the FDA’s Drug Competition Action Plan, which seeks to expand access to safe, high-quality, effective generic medicines that can help consumers lower their health care costs. The FDA is requesting comments; the deadline is Sept. 19. (FDA)
Drug reform passage is just the beginning
A Health Affairs Forefront piece offers broad overview of the Inflation Reduction Act’s drug pricing reforms, including the interaction of the Part D restructuring and the Medicare negotiation provisions. It also helps clarify which reforms are included in the legislation and which are not. Enactment is only the beginning, however: “The pharmaceutical industry has suggested that they are likely to sue to challenge the law. The industry is also likely to attempt to influence the rulemaking process and to sue to challenge CMS’ implementing regulations. Finally, the industry is likely to attempt to “game” the negotiation process itself…” (Health Affairs Forefront)
In Case You Missed It!
New Report Available! Optimizing Medication Use for Accountable Care Success
A value-based care resource derived from an event sponsored by the GTMRx Institute & the Institute for Advancing Health Value
This report covers:
- Comprehensive medication management (CMM) in ACOs/ enhancing value
- The reported effects of CMM and pharmacy integration
- The key elements of success for effective medication therapy management programs
- Key issues impacting CMM success in ACOs, such as:
- Population health
- Social determinants of health
- Using data to transform care
- Change management/philosophy of practice
- Network expansion and clinical integration
- Accountability and relationship management
Read the report here.
Recording now available! Integrating Pharmacists into Advanced Primary Care: A Better Way to Manage Medication
GTMRx’s Katherine Capps hosted Mini Summit 31: Integrating Pharmacists into Advanced Primary Care: A Better Way to Manage Medication with Julie Ceno-England, M.D. (OneOme), Mitchell Kaminski (Jefferson College), Michael Hochman (SCAN), and Steven Chen (USC School of Pharmacy).
This presentation was part of the National Primary Care Transformation Summit July 25-29, 2022. The event featured in-depth conversations and discussions with leaders from CMS/CMMI, VillageMD, Aetna/CVS, Humana, United/Optum, Boeing, Google, Walgreens and others involved in primary care transformation.
Watch here.
GTMRx Workgroup Updates
On August 9, the GTMRx Payment and Policy Solutions Workgroup had a presentation from GTMRx Physician Executive Advisor Michael Barr, MD, MBA, MACP, FRCP, President & Founder, MEDIS? about approach the medical community with value-driving services like CMM? in terms of team-based language.
On August 4, the GTMRx Employer Advisory Group heard from two speakers. GTMRx advocacy partner James Gelfand, JD, President, Public Affairs, ERIC (ERISA Industry Committee) updated the group on the status of PBM transparency and ficiduary advocacy efforts, as well as discussing the anticipated actions which need to be taken by coalitions/employers after the August recess. The group also heard from GTMRx executive physician advisor Michael Barr, MD, MBA, MACP, FRCP, President & Founder, MEDIS, about what needs to be in place to use ‘gold-carding” or waving prior authorizations as part of an advanced medication accountability “buy right” strategy.
Join us to be part of meaningful change
Irma, like many others, struggles as a result of our current trial-and-error approach to medication. That is why we advocate for a new, comprehensive approach to medication use and prescribing. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organization, the GTMRx Institute and Foundation relies on funding from our supporting members. We ask that you consider becoming a Supporting Signing Member so we can continue to provide relevant, timely resources to get the medications right!
If you’re interested in supporting the Institute or Foundation at a higher level, please contact us. Your dollars will bring about meaningful change for people like Irma.
AmazonSmile is an easy way for 0.5% of your qualified purchases go to the GTMRx Foundation at no cost to you. And signing up is simple—go to smile.amazon.com and select “Get the Medications Right Foundation” as your charity of choice. If you prefer to directly donate instead, you can do so here.
Adding the foundation on AmazonSmile will help us continue to provide no cost educational webinars, issue briefs, weekly news briefs and promote the need for transformation of our current system of medication use through social media campaigns.
