Kroger Rx Plans MTM, Diabetes Services

WENDY TOTH

CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. here expanded its partnership with the American Pharmacists Association, Washington, late last month by entering into license agreements for APhA's new medication therapy management and diabetes management certificate training programs for retail pharmacists.

“Our customers rely on the expert, professional counsel our pharmacists provide, and our partnership with APhA helps enhance customer service in our pharmacies,” said Lincoln Lutz, vice president of pharmacy for Kroger.

APhA's MTM certification, will enable Kroger's pharmacists to administer to patients and develop a business plan for providing MTM in each store, according to Doug Lobdell, senior director of national accounts and business development, APhA.

“We help the pharmacists understand what they need to do to set this practice up within the pharmacy by managing staff and implementing training systems, record keeping, billing and marketing so they can set up a service in-store,” he said.

Pharmacists are also guided on administering medication review to identify problems and help solve those by developing a plan for the patient, he said.

Under the agreements, select Kroger pharmacists are trained by APhA to train other Kroger pharmacists.