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 September 2021. Highlights include stories on new authorization for pharmacists, value of telecare to support medication adherence, barriers to adherence, polypharmacy risks, and patient falls.
1. Pharmacists Authorized to Order and Administer COVID-19 Therapeutics Under PREP Act Declaration
The Department of Health and Human Services announced an amendment to the COVID-19 Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act declaration to allow licensed pharmacists to order and administer select COVID-19 therapeutics.
2. Why Pharmacists Need to Practice at the Top of Their Licensure
A Pharmacy Times column argues for expanding the services pharmacists can provide and be paid for to include chronic disease management, point-of-care testing, patient education, and medication therapy management.
3. Telecare May Boost Homebound Seniors' Medication Adherence According to JAMA Study
MobiHealthNews reports on a study published in JAMA Network Open showing that homebound older adults who participated in a telecare program for three months had improved medication adherence and quality of life.
4. The Societal Case for Pharmacist Provider Status
Granting provider status to pharmacists can improve the delivery of healthcare in many ways, including helping address the growing physician shortage problem, argues a column in Pharmacy Times.
5. Cost, Poor Communication Key Barriers to Medication Adherence
Patient Engagement HIT reports on a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society that shows drug costs, patient education, and patient-provider communication are leading factors in poor medication adherence.
6. Mapping Healthcare Deserts: 80% of the Country Lacks Adequate Access to Healthcare
A GoodRx report finds that more than 80% of U.S. counties lack proper access to the services needed to maintain health, which include those provided at pharmacies.
7. The Alarming Risks of Mixing Common Drugs
BBC Future takes a deep dive into the challenges associated with polypharmacy and ways to reduce unnecessary polypharmacy, including deprescribing.
8. Deadly Falls Among the Elderly Are on the Rise
A Scientific American article discusses contributing factors to an increase in deadly falls for older adults, such as polypharmacy, and opportunities to reduce risk.
9. Care for Kidney Disease Plummeted in the Pandemic
Axios reports on data from UnitedHealth Group about chronic kidney care during the early months of the pandemic. Among the key takeaways: There was also a substantial decline seen in medication refills, which likely brought with it medication adherence challenges.
10. Study Finds Long-Term Injectable Medications Combined With Counseling Improves Adherence and Symptoms in Patients With Bipolar Disorder
For people with bipolar disorder, the use of long-term injectable medications combined with psychosocial intervention can improve medication adherence, according to research published in the Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders.
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