To keep you better informed about the biggest trends and developments affecting medication management, medication adherence, and pharmacy services, here are 10 of the most significant news reports published in November 2020. Highlights include stories on comprehensive medication management, polypharmacy, osteoporosis, lupus, and Amazon's new pharmacy business.
1. Comprehensive Medication Management Proves Its Value
A panel of experts at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy's 2020 annual meeting stated that pharmacists have many opportunities to participate in comprehensive medication management (CMM) efforts being adopted within value-based care models, according to a Specialty Pharmacy Continuum report.
2. Patients' Perspectives on Polypharmacy Are Highly Personal, Systematic Review Concludes
Research into polypharmacy indicates that healthcare professionals should seek to understand individual patients' perspectives on this concern and its associated challenges, reports The Pharmaceutical Journal.
3. Poor Medication Adherence in African Americans Is a Matter of Trust
A new paper published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities explores the lack of medication adherence in the African American patient community, with medical mistrust identified as one of the most prominent contributing factors. [Subscription to journal required for full access]
4. Pharmacists Play a Key Role in Treating Osteoporosis
A Pharmacy Times article examines the vital role pharmacists can play in supporting osteoporosis patients through medication therapy management (MTM) services.
5. Simpler Language, Slower Speech May Improve Lupus Medication Adherence
The results of the research presented indicate that optimizing patient-provider communication and enhancing patient self-efficacy may improve medication adherence rates among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, reports Healio Rheumatology.
6. How Highmark's Pharmacists are Teaming With Primary Care Docs for Better Medication Management
Two of insurer Highmark's internal teams are working together to improve medication management for diabetes patients through a new initiative focused on identifying and addressing potential medications that can be adjusted or discontinued, reports Fierce Healthcare.
7. Aetna Pilot Harnesses CVS Pharmacists to Address Medicaid Members' Social Needs
Through a new Aetna pilot, called "HealthTag," CVS Health pharmacists and pharmacy employees will be empowered to offer more personalized information when Aetna Medicaid members come to pick up prescriptions, reports Fierce Healthcare.
8. Rite Aid Leans on Pharmacists in Rebranding Effort
Pharmacists are primed to take on a much more prominent role for Rite Aid as it rebrands, reports Retail Dive, including dispensing health advice and consulting on traditional medicine and alternative remedies.
9. Digital Health Tools Offer New Opportunities for Personalized Care
A column in Harvard Business Review makes the case for using "behavioral phenotyping" to make digital health solutions more personalized and effective, ultimately helping improve personalized care, including medication adherence.
10. Amazon Jumps Into the Pharmacy Business With Online Prescription Fulfillment, Free Delivery for Prime Members
CNBC reports on Amazon's announcement that it is launching Amazon Pharmacy, which will allow U.S. customers to order prescription medications for home delivery, including free delivery for Amazon Prime members.
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