Pharmacist-led CMM improves outcomes in hypertension study
Pharmacist-led CMM improved health and quality-of-life outcomes among patients with hypertension, according to a randomized clinical trial published in Scientific Reports. Researchers followed 128 adults receiving either CMM services or usual care in a primary care setting for 12 months. Patients receiving CMM experienced improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, cardiovascular risk scores, quality of life and hypertension-related knowledge. The authors concluded that pharmacist-led CMM shows promise for improving outcomes in routine practice and should be evaluated in larger multicenter studies. (Nature)
CMM may help pharmacists address social barriers to adherence
Patients with unmet social needs were more likely to experience medication adherence-related problems, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. Researchers analyzed data from more than 23,000 patients with uncontrolled chronic conditions and found that adherence-related medication therapy problems were significantly more common among those reporting social needs. The findings suggest that incorporating social determinants of health screening into CMM workflows could help pharmacists identify barriers and improve patient outcomes. (Journal of the American Pharmacists Association)
Practice Transformation
Drug prices continue to rise in the U.S. while falling abroad
List prices for many top brand-name drugs continue to rise in the U.S. while declining in other high-income countries, according to a report from the AARP Public Policy Institute. Researchers found that list prices for 25 leading brand-name drugs increased by an average of 81% after launch in the U.S., while prices for the same drugs fell an average of 13% across 19 peer nations. The report also found that several Medicare-negotiated drugs experienced substantial one-time price reductions, suggesting the Inflation Reduction Act may be putting downward pressure on some prices. (FiercePharma; report)
Lawmakers renew push to limit PBM ownership of pharmacies
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced legislation that would prohibit PBMs from owning retail pharmacies. The Patients Before Monopolies Act would require companies that operate PBMs to divest pharmacy businesses, a move supporters say would reduce conflicts of interest and increase competition in the prescription drug market. Advocates argue that vertical integration allows PBMs to steer patients toward affiliated pharmacies and influence drug pricing and reimbursement practices. (Fierce Healthcare)
Evidence & Innovation
Preventive services reach 100 million Americans via ACA
Nearly 100 million Americans with private health insurance received at least one preventive service covered at no cost under the Affordable Care Act in 2024, according to a report from FAIR Health and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. Researchers found that 62% of privately insured individuals used at least one covered preventive service during the year. The findings highlight the broad reach of preventive care benefits, which include screenings, vaccinations and other services designed to identify health issues early and reduce the burden of chronic disease. Researchers said continued access to preventive care remains important for improving population health and reducing avoidable healthcare costs. (BenefitsPro)
Policy Solutions
Treatment-resistant depression drives higher Medicare spending
Medicare beneficiaries with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) incur significantly higher healthcare costs than those whose depression is adequately controlled, according to a report from Health Management Associates. Researchers found that patients with TRD cost Medicare about $46,000 annually; that’s approximately 21% more than patients without treatment resistance. Most of the additional spending was driven by hospitalizations and prescription medications. The findings underscore the clinical and economic burden of treatment-resistant depression and highlight the importance of effective medication management strategies to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare utilization. (FierceHealthcare; report)
