Chapter 60
Medication Therapy Management
Pharmacists and patient outcomes
What Medication Therapy Management Is
Since the term pharmaceutical care was coined in 1990, pharmacists have taken greater responsibility for patient outcomes. Medication therapy management (MTM) is a broad range of patient-specific services designed to improve quality and continuity of care and optimize treatment outcomes (defined by consensus of 11 pharmacy organizations in 2005). MTM should be proactive and patient-centric.
MTM is distinct from and more in-depth than the traditional medication counseling mandated by OBRA '90; it is holistic, covering the patient's entire regimen in the context of prevention, treatment, and management.
MTM vs Dispensing
MTM services are distinctive and SEPARATE from dispensing. A pharmacist may identify MTM candidates at the point of dispensing, but MTM itself is more holistic than counseling, encompassing the entire medication regimen. All MTM must protect patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA.
📖 “Pharmaceutical care coined 1990; MTM = broad patient-specific services to improve quality/continuity of care and optimize outcomes (2005 consensus, 11 organizations). Proactive, patient-centric. Distinct from and deeper than OBRA '90 counseling; holistic, whole regimen. Separate from dispensing. HIPAA-compliant.”