Washington, DC (March 21, 2013). The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) is pleased to welcome the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) as a partner in its comprehensive advocacy initiative to pursue recognition of the direct patient care services of qualified clinical pharmacists as a covered benefit under the Medicare program through legislative and regulatory changes to the Medicare program and relevant sections of the Social Security Act (see http://www.accp.com/govt/medicare.aspx).
The initiative promotes and advocates comprehensive medication management as part of a team-based practice structure and emphasizes the importance of “getting the medications right” in order to moderate overall health care costs, reduce unnecessary use of more costly health care services and enhance seniors’ health care outcomes, ultimately helping achieve the Medicare program’s goals for quality and affordability.
“We are delighted that CPNP shares our goal of making the direct patient care services of clinical pharmacists available to Medicare beneficiaries and has chosen to partner with us in this vital initiative,” noted ACCP Executive Director Dr. Michael Maddux. “ACCP’s Board of Regents has identified this effort as the primary advocacy priority of the College and we are fully committed to its success.”
Dr. Rex Lott, CPNP President remarked, “We are excited to be partnering with ACCP in this initiative. CPNP is committed to increasing access to direct patient care services provided by clinical pharmacists for all patients, including Medicare beneficiaries—especially those with psychiatric illnesses. Patients will benefit from comprehensive medication management services provided by clinical pharmacists with their unique set of knowledge and skills. Psychiatric pharmacists are also trained to demonstrate respect and compassion for patients with psychiatric illness and effectively evaluate their medication-related needs in order to improve physical and emotional well-being. We strongly embrace the concept of team-based care that involves the psychiatric team, the patient, and family members. Clinical pharmacists are important participants in team-based care; their role is to provide comprehensive medication management services to all patients with psychiatric and medical illnesses. This is an important component of ’getting the medications right’ for the patients we serve.”
For more information, contact ACCP’s Associate Executive Director C. Edwin Webb, Pharm.D., M.P.H. at (202) 621-1820 or visit the ACCP Medicare Coverage Initiative webpage at http://www.accp.com/govt/medicare.aspx.