Practice Transformation
CMM lets pharmacists demonstrate value
Opportunities abound for pharmacists to participate in comprehensive medication management to demonstrate their value and achieve savings and reimbursements for their practices, Pharmacy Practice News report. It then provides insights on how to implement and execute CMM. Among the advice: Track pharmacoeconomic data; for example, look at where less expensive medications were available and whether patients accepted the recommendation for the cheaper drug. Track disease metrics—e.g., whether a patient with diabetes reduced their A1c levels because of pharmacist involvement—and whether providers accepted pharmacist medication recommendations. (Pharmacy Practice News)
CrossFit enters precision medicine
CrossFit recently announced that, in partnership with Wild Health, it will launch CrossFit Precision Care. Using Wild Health’s precision services and algorithms, CrossFit Precision Care plans to connect its users with “CrossFit-trained healthcare practitioners” who understand the CrossFit lifestyle. Patients will receive an individual health optimization plan developed through a comprehensive data-driven analysis that may include genomic testing, blood testing, a longevity analysis to gauge a person’s biologic age through a DNA methylation test kit and a lifestyle review. CrossFit Precision Care is currently in beta testing. (Medscape Medical News; press release)
Evidence & Innovation
Needed: A more comprehensive approach to medication management
The way we manage medications isn’t keeping pace with the science. “We have an explosion of life-saving medications,” says Katherine H. Capps, co-founder and executive director of GTMRx. “ But multiple medications prescribed by multiple physicians to treat multiple conditions is a huge area of risk.” Each clinician means well, but the system lacks the stop points to change how we practice and pay for care, how we use companion and complementary diagnostics, and how we ensure health IT best serves the goal of optimal patient care, she says. (Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare)
Using newspapers to reach people where they are
Rural Pennsylvania has lower vaccination rates than elsewhere in the state, so three Pennsylvania organizations, including the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians decided to reach out—through a series of ads in local newspapers. The ads address everyday questions about COVID vaccines and why scientific experts have differed on recommendations and masks, according to the groups. Bonnie Offit, MD, who helped craft the ads, told MedPage Today that it’s important for the organizations to continue to try to reach more people in rural communities. There’s a real need to “pull out different ways to reach people.” (Medpage Today)
Policy Solutions
Vaccine access still an issue
Many of the unvaccinated are not resistant; they just lack access. The Washinton Post offers one example: Orosco-Arellano decided she would get the coronavirus vaccine long before it became available. But the hotel housekeeper and mother of four doesn’t have a car and needed a vaccination slot scheduled around her shifts at the hotel. Such barriers have inhibited access for “unvaccinated but willing,” who account for approximately 10% percent of the American population. (The Washington Post*)
Broadband is essential, and practices need help
During a recent congressional hearing, senators and health IT experts alike expressed concern that many Americans won’t be able to benefit from virtual care without affordable high-speed internet access. But who pays? The question remains unsettled, but Dr. Sterling Ransone, Jr., president of the American Academy of Family Physicians told the hearing, “Congress should ensure that small practices are adequately supported.” (Modern Healthcare*)
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In Case You Missed It!
GTMRx in the Media
The GTMRx Institute has had several recently releases publications, including:
- How to Approach Better Medication Management: An interview with GTMRx Executive Director, Katherine Capps, was recently published in Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare on our current overloaded medication system and the burden it places on consumers.
- Improving Patient Outcomes Through the Integration of Pharmacogenomic Testing into Comprehensive Medication Management Care Models: The article was recently published on behalf of the GTMRx Institute in the Journal of Precision Medicine, the world’s only journal dedicated to the precision medicine ecosystem. From early research, all the way to the clinic, the journal brings readers insights from some of the world’s renowned thought-leaders.
- Medication Optimization: Integration of Comprehensive Medication Management into Practice: The article was recently published on behalf of the GTMRx Institute in American Health & Drug Benefits, a publication for payers, purchasers, policymakers, and other healthcare stakeholders.
- Comprehensive medication management research gap areas: A?call to action for clinical pharmacy researchers: The article, written by GTMRx workgroup members from the Evidence-Based Resources Subgroup of the Practice and Care Delivery Transformation Workgroup, was published in the Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. It discusses existing gap areas and recommendations based off a review of current CMM-literature on implementation and impact. Authors include Heather L. Ourth, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP; Shawn McFarland Pharm.D., FCCP, BCACP; and Ashley P. Yost Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP—all from the VA.
Upcoming Panel Discussion
Join GTMRx for Improving Patient Outcomes Through the Integration of Pharmacogenomic Testing into Comprehensive Medication Management Care Models on October 19 from 2:20-3:10pm EST.
- Panelist Ghada Elnashar, PharmD, MS, Medical Science Liaison, OneOme; Anthony P. Morreale, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, FASHP, Associate Chief Consultant, Clinical Pharmacy and Policy, Department of Veterans Affairs Pharmacy Benefits Management, VA Central Office; and Jacques Turgeon, BPharm, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Executive Officer, TRHC Precision Pharmacotherapy, Research and Development Institute will join GTMRx Executive Director Katherine H. Capps.
- The panel will discuss the role of pharmacogenomics in the clinical setting which is shifting from a reactive testing approach toward a preemptive model. Since many clinicians have embraced comprehensive medication management (CMM), the goal of this panel is to educate health care professionals on the value of precision medicine and pharmacogenomic testing services in CMM care models. They will also explore methods for implementation, reimbursement opportunities and present evidence to support its role in mitigating polypharmacy and optimizing medication regimens, patient outcomes and cost savings.
- Register here.
Advocacy in Action
GTMRx is pleased to announce that we have launched our Advocacy Letters and Policy Documents page on the GTMRx website. Advocacy is a core component of the GTMRx Institute’s mission, and our policy positions are aimed at advancing acceptance and recognition of the importance of creating a systematic, evidence-based approach to medications and their rational use through CMM in practice. To advance our efforts, comments are submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), members of Congress, the Administration, and other public sector payers (OPM) as appropriate.
In addition to development of Vaccine Confidence Leagues (VCLs) and community-building activities, the task force’s recommendations include:
- Accelerated approval of vaccines
- Public education
- Payment reform
- Improved vaccine access for primary care practices
- More effective immunization information systems (IIS)
- No cost-sharing for certain patients
- Enhanced diversity, inclusion, and equity
Find the report Frequently Asked Questions here.
Read the report here.
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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.
