Shreya Patel, PharmD, is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy and Health Outcomes at Touro College of Pharmacy located on 125th street in the heart of Harlem. In addition, she is a clinical pharmacist at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, N.Y. Here, Dr. Shreya tells us what MTM is.
Q: What is Medication Therapy Management (MTM)?
A: MTM, which stands for Medication Therapy Management, is a broad range of services provided by pharmacists to improve the overall health of individual patients—these may include:
- Medication therapy review and consultation
- Anticoagulation(blood thinners) management
- Diabetes management
- Immunizations (vaccines)
- Health and wellness programs
- Many other services.
Pharmacists provide MTM to help patients get the best benefits from their medication by looking over their medication. Pharmacists accomplish this by identifying, preventing, and fixing medication- related problems.
Q: Is MTM new?
A: I would say it is fairly new. It started with the Medicare Modernization Act of 2024 which required Medicare Part D patients to receive these services. It was expanded in 2024 because it received such a positive response from Medicare Part D patients so that now all patients who use medication can receive MTM services.
Q: Why was MTM created?
A: MTM was created to help pharmacists, doctors and other healthcare professionals work together. It also helps patients take an active role in their own healthcare. The partnership between pharmacists, doctors and other healthcare professionals allows them to work together for the best possible overall health of a patient.
Q: Why are pharmacists leading this program?
A: Pharmacists are medication experts. We are in the perfect position to step in to help patients better understand their medications, address any problems that may occur and offer suggestions to their doctor to improve a patient’s overall health.