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Medication Management – Tapping the Pharmacist’s Expertise for Employees with Multiple Medications. Rosemarie Patodia, BScPhm, CGP Pharmacist, Manager, Pharmacy Marketing and Professional Services Shoppers Drug Mart. Agenda. The medication review (MedsCheck) process
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Medication Management – Tapping the Pharmacist’s Expertise for Employees with Multiple Medications Rosemarie Patodia, BScPhm, CGP Pharmacist, Manager, Pharmacy Marketing and Professional Services Shoppers Drug Mart
Agenda • The medication review (MedsCheck) process • The importance of medication review • Benefits to your organization • What can you do? • Some examples • Summary • Questions
What is a medication review? • A detailed review of all medications, including: • Role of each medication • Optimal use • Monitoring and outcomes • Interactions (including OTCs and natural health products) • Special tips and information
The Ontario MedsCheck Program • A medication review program introduced by the Ontario Ministry of Health April 2007 • Eligibility: • Anyone with an OHIP card • 3 or more chronic medications • Can be done annually, with an additional follow-up review within 12 months of the initial medication review • Of the 250,000 completed to date, about 10% were for non-ODB recipients
Why is it Important? • Identifies potential medication-related problems (pharmacist-recommended solutions) • Improves medication adherence • Optimizes utilization of appropriate therapies • Enhances knowledge level of the patient
Benefits to your organization • Optimizes health outcomes by • Helping employees understand the role of their medications for their overall health • Promoting proper use of medications, and • Empowering employees to take charge of their health conditions
Benefits to your organization • Reduces drug plan costs by • Identifying inappropriate medications • Preventing future medication-related complications that potentially require more prescription therapies • Optimizing medication use to prevent devastating events (e.g. heart attack, stroke) • Win-win situation! • Employees are healthier and more productive • Less wasted resources from drug plans
What can you do? • Raise awareness of the medication review opportunity: • Promote the availability of this service to all employees through appropriate internal communication vehicles • Provide information about the benefits of a medication review and how to prepare for it • Connect with your local Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy to facilitate the process for employees • Contact SDM at www.healthwatchforbusiness.ca for more information
The case of KW • KW’s medication review uncovers: • She keeps 15 medications on hand at home • She has duplicate medications to treat anxiety and insomnia • She carries one angina patch (nitroglycerin) in her medication bag because she believes she has “some angina sometimes”
The case of KW • How the pharmacist helped KW: • Consulted with her physician regarding her duplicate therapies and about her angina to determine her need for ongoing treatment • Resolved confusion about her medications • Cautioned her about the duplicate therapies and arranged to follow up after discussion with her physician
The case of RK • RK’s medication review shows: • He has a chronic lung condition for which he takes inhalers – but is using two inhalers of the same class that should not be taken together – also, his inhaler technique is not completely correct • He was using a certain inhaler quite frequently, indicating that he may be having some trouble breathing • He is over 50 and does not have adequate calcium and vitamin D intake – he thinks that osteoporosis is for women
The case of RK • How the pharmacist helped: • Demonstrated and re-taught inhaler technique for RK • Reviewed the purpose of each inhaler • Discussed with him that there appears to be duplication and contacted his doctor to confirm • Advised him on appropriate calcium and vitamin D intake for his age to avoid osteoporosis and assisted him with supplements
Medication review outcomes • SDM Pharmacists document the types of problems addressed: • Addressed adherence issues • Taught proper use of medical devices • Simplified medication regimen • Resolved side effects or interactions • Recommended dosage change • Recommended discontinuation or substitution of an inappropriate medication • Recommended more cost-effective medication
Take home messages • A medication review is a personalized, comprehensive discussion with your pharmacist to review your medication profile • A simple solution that impacts on medication adherence and appropriate utilization of medications • First step? Speak with your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist to set up an appointment!