ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores commended U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) yesterday for introduction of an amendment to the Senate healthcare bill that would improve medication therapy management programs in Medicare Part D, enabling pharmacists to help more patients take the right medications in the right ways.
In remarks made on the Senate floor, Senator Hagan said, "As much as one half of all patients in our country do not follow the doctor's orders regarding their medications. The New England Health Care Institute estimates that the overall cost of people not following directions is as much as $290 billion per year."
Senator Hagan specifically noted the role of pharmacy services in addressing this problem, saying "the pharmacists follow up and educate the patient about his or her medication regimen."
The Congressional Budget Office has determined that enacting Hagan's amendment would have no significant effects on direct spending or revenues, thereby deeming it deficit-neutral. In the NACDS Principles of Healthcare Reform, NACDS emphasizes the role of pharmacy in improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of healthcare.
"Helping patients to understand the importance of taking their medication properly – medication adherence – is a critical way that pharmacists are playing a role in curbing increasing healthcare costs and improving health outcomes for patients," said Steven C. Anderson, NACDS president and chief executive officer.
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