MTM center supported by pharmacy techs

WASHINGTON — A groundbreaking call center at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy that delivers medication therapy management services to patients with chronic illnesses utilizes pharmacy technicians certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

PTCB said that while pharmacists work directly with patients, their providers, and fellow community pharmacists — to ensure that patients receive optimal treatment while reducing the risk of adverse events and drug interactions — at the school's Medication Management Center, pharmacy technicians also are involved with supporting the MTM delivery process by scheduling patient appointments, gathering patient information, providing quality assurance reviews of patient and provider communications, conducting customer satisfaction surveys, and reporting outcomes.

The center has delivered MTM services to more than 400,000 Medicare beneficiaries across the country since 2006.

"Pharmacy technicians are integral members of our pharmacy team," Medication Management Center director Kevin Boesen said. "By expanding pharmacy technicians' roles within the Center, pharmacists are able to spend more time working directly with patients and, as a result, we have witnessed significant improvements in medication compliance and overall patient health outcomes."

PTCB executive director and CEO Melissa Murer Corrigan added, "The model developed by the University of Arizona Medication Management Center is a great example of how integrated pharmacy teams positively benefit patients,. Certified pharmacy technicians continue to take on innovative roles that allow pharmacists to increase their involvement in direct patient care, which in turn, may reduce the overall cost burden on patients and the health care system."

For more information on the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy's Medication Management Center, click here.

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