Are You Taking the Right Medications?

Keeping up with your prescription and OTC medications can feel overwhelming. Multiple medications from multiple physicians for multiple conditions can lead to doses missed or forgotten or taken at the wrong time. The average senior adult in the United States takes four or more prescription medications each day, with nearly 40% taking five or more¹. When including over the counter (OTC) medications, these numbers are even higher. Not only can multiple prescriptions be a financial burden (23% of older adults say it is difficult to afford their prescriptions²), but seniors taking numerous medications are also at higher risk of adverse side effects and interactions. According to one recent study, 78% seniors experienced at least one adverse drug event over a six-month period³). In fact, according to the CDC, 1.3 million emergency room visits in the US each year are the result of medication problems⁴.

Many people are not aware of a service available at Kohll’s and other pharmacies that is also covered by their insurance. Medication therapy management, or MTM, is a thorough medication review provided by pharmacists and other healthcare providers that promotes positive outcomes for patients through better understanding of their medications and the conditions they treat⁵.

MTM services, designed to reduce the risk of adverse events and improve proper medication use and adherence, are covered annually at 100% (no out of pocket costs to you) by all Medicare Part D plans⁶.

During a 30-minute phone call or in-person visit, your pharmacist will review with you all the medications you are currently taking, including prescriptions, OTCs, and dietary or herbal supplements. She will then assess for any therapeutic duplications, uncontrolled symptoms, or dangerous drug interactions you may be experiencing. The pharmacist can then work with your physician to discontinue, change, or add medications as necessary for the best care and treatment possible.

According to one study of patients with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, MTM services increased the percentage of patients achieving their goals of therapy from 76% to 90%, while also decreasing healthcare costs by 31%⁷. In a study of patients with diabetes, patients receiving MTM services were more than three times more likely to have blood pressure and A1c readings within goal⁸. A systematic review of 75 other studies showed that MTM services led to simplified medication regimens, increased adherence and drug knowledge, and decreased medication problems⁹.

If you would like to get a better handle on your daily medications and achieve your healthcare goals, contact your local pharmacy to inquire about MTM services. Appointments can be made with a pharmacist at your local Kohll’s Pharmacy. Take advantage of this service included with your prescription insurance and get a clearer picture of your daily prescriptions.

1. Sollitto M. Polypharmacy in the elderly: Taking too many medications can be risky. AgingCare.com. https://www.agingcare.com/articles/polypharmacy-dangerous-drug-interactions-119947.htm. Published August 12, 2020. Accessed November 10, 2021.
2. Kirzinger A, Neuman T, Cubanski J, Brodie M. Data note: Prescription drugs and older adults. KFF. https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/data-note-prescription-drugs-and-older-adults/. Published August 9, 2019. Accessed November 10, 2021.
3. Cahir C, Wallace E, Cummins A, et al. Identifying Adverse Drug Events in Older Community-Dwelling Patients. Ann Fam Med. 2019;17(2):133-140. doi:10.1370/afm.2359
4. Adverse drug events in adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/medicationsafety/adult_adversedrugevents.html. Published October 11, 2017. Accessed November 11, 2021.
5. Pellegrino AN, Martin MT, Tilton JJ, Touchette DR. Medication therapy management services: definitions and outcomes. Drugs. 2009;69(4):393-406. doi:10.2165/00003495-200969040-00001
6. Medication therapy management. CMS. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/MTM. Published November 5, 2021. Accessed November 10, 2021.
7. Isetts BJ, Schondelmeyer SW, Artz MB, et al. Clinical and economic outcomes of medication therapy management services: the Minnesota experience. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2008;48(2):203-214. doi:10.1331/JAPhA.2008.07108
8. Prudencio J, Cutler T, Roberts S, Marin S, Wilson M. The Effect of Clinical Pharmacist-Led Comprehensive Medication Management on Chronic Disease State Goal Attainment in a Patient-Centered Medical Home. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2018;24(5):423-429. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2018.24.5.423
9. Ryan R, Santesso N, Lowe D, et al. Interventions to improve safe and effective medicines use by consumers: an overview of systematic reviews. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(4):CD007768. Published 2014 Apr 29. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007768.pub3