As defined in a consensus definition adopted by the pharmacy profession in 2004, medication
therapy management is a service or group of services that optimize therapeutic outcomes for
individual patients. Medication therapy management services include medication therapy
reviews, pharmacotherapy consults, anticoagulation management, immunizations, health and
wellness programs and many other clinical services. Pharmacists provide medication therapy
management to help patients get the best benefits from their medications by actively managing
drug therapy and by identifying, preventing and resolving medication-related problems.
Why is medication therapy management needed?
Medication-related problems and medication mismanagement are a massive public health
problem in the United States. Experts estimate that 1.5 million preventable adverse events
occur each year that result in $177 billion in injury and death.
Where is medication therapy management provided?
Pharmacists provide medication therapy management services in all care settings in which
patients take medications. While pharmacists in different settings may provide different types of
medication therapy management services, the goal of all pharmacists providing medication
therapy management is to make sure that the medication is right for the patient and his or her
health conditions and that the best possible outcomes from treatment are achieved.
Who can benefit from medication therapy management?
Anyone who uses prescription medications, non-prescription medications, herbals, or other
dietary supplements may potentially benefit from medication therapy management services.
People who may benefit the most include those who use several medications, those who have
several health conditions, those who have questions or problems with their medications, those
who are taking medications that require close monitoring, those who have been hospitalized,
and those who obtain their medications from more than one pharmacy.
Medication Therapy Management Services