NACDS, NCPA express support of new MTM bill

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association have expressed their support for H.R. 891, the Medication Therapy Management Benefits Act of 2011, as it would expand the pool of Medicare Part D beneficiaries who can qualify for the service provided by a licensed pharmacist to any patient with a chronic medical condition. Currently, only those patients suffering from multiple chronic conditions are eligible.

Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Mike Ross, D-Ark., introduced the bill.

"Representatives McMorris Rodgers and Ross understand the importance of pharmacists and the positive impact of MTM services for Medicare Part D beneficiaries," stated NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson and NCPA EVP and CEO Kathleen Jaeger. "Their bipartisan MTM bill is the next logical step in building on what has been proven to work by lowering the threshold for eligibility to receive MTM services."

Anderson and Jaeger added, "MTM allows clinically trained pharmacists to use their expertise in a carefully conducted one-on-one counseling session to help ensure the best combinations of medications are being taken in the proper way. Considering that, according to the New England Health Institute, the improper use of medication is estimated to cost a staggering $290 billion a year, a service like MTM should be embraced. We hope the House of Representatives acts quickly on the bipartisan bill. We also urge Senate passage of the MTM bill that was recently introduced by Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C."