Notes on the Role of Pharmacy Technicians in Medication Management

Roles of Pharmacy Technicians in Medication Reconciliation and MTM

• Critical Areas of Impact:

  • Pharmacy technicians are significantly involved in two areas: medication reconciliation and Medication Therapy Management (MTM).

• Medication Reconciliation:

  • Setting: Primarily takes place in hospital emergency departments and surgical centers.

  • Process:

  • Technicians conduct interviews with patients about their current medications.

  • When necessary, obtain the patient's medication history from community pharmacies.

  • Documentation:

  • A list of all medications taken is documented for healthcare providers upon the patient’s admission to the hospital.

• Medication Therapy Management (MTM):

  • Pharmacist's Role: Executes clinical tasks based on information gathered by the pharmacy technician.

  • Identifying Candidates:

  • Technicians identify patients ideal for MTM services based on criteria such as:

    • Multiple medications

    • Multiple health conditions

    • Medications requiring special monitoring

  • Offering Services: Once candidates are identified, technicians are responsible for explaining and offering MTM services to the patients.

• Documentation by Technicians:

  • Medication Recording:

  • The list of medications must detail medication name, dose, frequency, and route of administration, including:

    • Prescription medications

    • Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications

    • Herbal supplements

  • Administrative Duties:

  • Schedule and confirm patient appointments.

  • Notify physicians about the MTM services provided.

  • Handle billing with insurance.

• Efficiency in Workflow:

  • Completing preparatory tasks enables pharmacists to focus on patient evaluations, particularly looking for areas of concern in the patient's health.

• Benefits of MTM:

  • Patient Wellness Promotion: Through education and advice provided to patients about their medications.

  • Financial Implications:

  • MTM services can influence pharmacy revenue positively through star ratings and direct/indirect remuneration.

  • Positive patient outcomes enhance reimbursement rates for pharmacies.

• Consequences of Poor Performance:

  • Poor adherence and outcomes can affect a pharmacy's star ratings, leading to:

  • Possible reimbursement reductions or payments being reclaimed via Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR).

  • Loss of contracts with Medicare and Medicaid, drastically affecting pharmacy revenue.

  • Potential reduction of pharmacy technician positions or working hours as a consequence of financial strain.