GTMRx toolkit to help pharmacy residents implement CMM
GTMRx has released a toolkit to introduce pharmacy residents to CMM. It provides foundational knowledge of CMM, including the philosophy of practice and patient care process, steps for implementation, and standards for practice management. The toolkit links to tools that help organizations assess readiness to implement CMM and evaluate program performance, along with use cases from a variety of care settings, demonstrating the value of CMM. It also provides links to additional resources on the Optimizing Meds website and CMM-related materials on the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists sites. (GTMRx tools)
UPDATED for 2026! Now available: GTMRx evidence report
The Get the Medications Right Institute has released its latest summary of published research on comprehensive medication management. It features peer-reviewed evidence from practice sites showing measurable benefits on quality, access, outcomes and cost. The research found reduced hospitalizations and emergency visits, improved chronic disease measures, and notable cost savings when clinical pharmacists deliver structured CMM services. Some studies also show enhanced medication optimization using pharmacogenomics and expanded access in Federally Qualified Health Centers. The evidence supports CMM’s role in advancing high-quality, patient-centered medication use and integration within health systems. (UPDATED GTMRx evidence report)
Psychotropic meds should be periodically reassessed
A new consensus statement from a task force convened by the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology urges clinicians to periodically review psychotropic medication regimens to ensure they still align with patients’ symptoms, treatment goals, and overall health. Experts say psychiatric medications are often continued for years without reassessment, even as clinical needs change. Regular evaluation can identify opportunities for deprescribing, reduce unnecessary medications and adverse effects, and simplify treatment plans. The guidance also emphasizes shared decision-making, careful tapering when discontinuation is considered, and ongoing monitoring. (MedPage Today)
Practice Transformation
Primary care clinic integrates same-day mental health care
A UNC Health clinic in Pittsboro, NC, has embedded mental health professional directly within primary care visits to reduce delays in treatment. When patients raise concerns such as depression or grief, clinicians can introduce them to a licensed clinical social worker during the same appointment rather than sending a referral. The “warm handoff” approach eliminates weeks-long waits and improves the likelihood that patients receive timely behavioral health support. Donor funding helps cover time that insurance may not reimburse. (North Carolina Health News)
Proposed ACA changes could reduce health insurance coverage
Federal policymakers are considering regulatory changes that could scale back parts of the Affordable Care Act marketplace system, aka Obamacare. Proposals include stricter eligibility checks, reduced enrollment periods, and other adjustments intended to curb improper enrollments and federal spending. Some would also expand lower-premium plans with much higher deductibles and out-of-pocket limits, shifting more costs to patients. Health policy experts warn the changes could also make it harder for some consumers to maintain coverage and could increase the number of uninsured Americans. Supporters argue the measures would strengthen program integrity and reduce fraud. (New York Times; STAT News)
Evidence & Innovation
USPSTF future uncertain
The future of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) may be at risk, according to two of its original leaders. In an Annals of Internal Medicine commentary, former chair Robert Lawrence, MD, and first scientific advisor Steven Woolf, MD, MPH,
warned HHS could eliminate the panel or undermine its independence, similar to recent changes affecting CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Their concerns come as HHS confirmed last week that another scheduled USPSTF meeting has been postponed. The panel has not met since March 2025. (MedPage Today; Annals of Internal Medicine)
Policy Solutions
Dean, student talk about changing role of pharmacists
Pharmacists are playing a growing role in collaborative care, helping guide medication use, manage chronic conditions and support preventive care, often without appointments, says Sarah McBane, PharmD, of the University of California, Irvine. Pharmacy education now emphasizes communication, advocacy and population health to prepare pharmacists to address care gaps. PharmD student Tanya Nguyen says the profession is “changing rapidly … with more direct patient care roles,” noting pharmacists often help patients understand and manage complex medication regimens. (UC Irvine News)
