Tracking multiple prescriptions through a Medication Therapy Management plan can help you simplify your life—and improve your health
Did you know that more than 130 million people—that’s two-thirds of all adults in the United States—take prescription drugs? That’s a good thing: Prescription medicines keep us healthy, active, and strong, helping us manage everything from arthritis to diabetes to high blood pressure.
But if you’ve ever opened your medicine cabinet and bottles have come tumbling out, it might be time for some Medication Therapy Management (MTM). It’s a program that helps you organize—and make the most of—all of those miracle meds.
Here’s how it works: Your local pharmacist will sit down with you in person or over the phone and review every single medication you’re taking—from high blood pressure prescriptions to aspirin tablets to even vitamin supplements.
The whole process takes about 30 minutes, but it gives you tons of important information.
How it Works
Suppose you’ve got a couple of conditions—say, allergies and incontinence. You could be taking multiple medications a day, between all your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. During your session, your pharmacist may learn that the allergy medicine you are taking and your overactive bladder medication can be making you dizzy and drowsy. They can then find a new medication.
The result of your pharmacist’s detective work via a Medication Therapy Management program? You are presented with an action plan that can save you money, improve your conditions, and prevent dangerous drug interactions. In fact, one recent study showed that an MTM program for diabetes patients in California saved each participant more than $5,000 over three years.
And the best part? You’ll have a better understanding of how your medications fit into your overall health and you’ll be less likely to skip doses or forget about refills. Over time, you will likely begin to notice some definite improvements in your health, and even avoid some visits to the emergency room or urgent care clinics.
Is MTM right for you? It could be, especially if you take more than a few medications or see several different health care providers. Talk to your pharmacist, your doctor, or a representative of your health plan to find out how to get started. It’s simple and free—and it can be an important step toward staying healthy and active.
