ACCP Urges Congress to Focus on Improving the Value of Prescription Drug Therapy

September 08, 2026

ACCP Urges Congress to Focus on Improving the Value of Prescription Drug Therapy
Non-Optimized Medication Therapy Costs $500 Billion Annually

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. — Now that Congress has passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government into December, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) urges lawmakers to prioritize critical healthcare issues, including policies that improve the value of prescription drug therapy for patients and taxpayers.

While efforts to reduce prescription drug prices remain an important policy discussion, ACCP emphasizes that improving the value of medication use is a distinct and equally important challenge. Federal healthcare programs, including Medicare, incur substantial costs when medications are not used optimally. According to a widely cited estimate, illness and death associated with non-optimized medication therapy cost the U.S. healthcare system more than $528 billion annually^[1]. That figure exceeds half a trillion dollars each year and is almost four times the entire annual budget of the Veterans Health Administration.

"Optimizing medication use is one of our greatest opportunities to improve patient outcomes, prevent avoidable medication-related harm, and reduce unnecessary healthcare spending," said ACCP President Denise H. Rhoney, PharmD, FCCP, FNCS, MCCM.

ACCP is urging Congress to address this challenge by enacting legislation to authorize Medicare Part B coverage and payment for Comprehensive Clinical Pharmacy Services when provided by clinical pharmacists.

Comprehensive clinical pharmacy services provide a patient-centered approach to care designed for individuals with multiple chronic conditions and complex medication regimens. Clinical pharmacists work collaboratively within physician-led teams to ensure that medications are safe, effective, appropriate, and aligned with each patient's treatment goals. The Primary Care Collaborative advocates the inclusion of clinical pharmacists in primary care teams and supports integration of clinical pharmacy as a top priority for advanced primary care.^[2]

Clinical pharmacists possess specialized training and expertise in optimizing medication therapy, improving health outcomes, and preventing costly medication-related problems. By integrating comprehensive clinical pharmacy services into Medicare, Congress can ensure that patients receive the full benefit of medications and markedly reduce avoidable healthcare costs.

Better medication management leads to better patient outcomes, lower healthcare costs, and a stronger Medicare program for the future. Clinical pharmacists are essential to achieving these outcomes and maximizing the value of prescription drug spending. ACCP believes that expanding access to these services will strengthen coordinated care, support better clinical outcomes, and keep patients at the center of treatment decisions.

About ACCP

ACCP is a professional and scientific society that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources enabling clinical pharmacists to achieve excellence in patient care practice and research. ACCP's membership is composed of almost 16,000 clinical pharmacists, residents, fellows, students, scientists, educators and others who are committed to excellence in clinical pharmacy practice and evidence-based pharmacotherapy.

Contact:

John K. McGlew
Senior Director, Government Affairs
American College of Clinical Pharmacy
1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Suite 400             
Washington, DC 20004-1017
Phone: 202.621.1820
[email protected]