Mississippi has become the first state to pay pharmacists for providing disease management services to Medicaid patients, thanks to an effort spearheaded by The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy in collaboration with the Mississippi Pharmacists Association and the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy. A more active role for pharmacists could result in better, more cost-effective health care for all Mississippians, said Dr. H. Joseph Byrd, chair of Ole Miss' Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice. It makes good common sense to integrate pharmacists into the disease management process.
Pharmacists often know a patient's prescription profile better than other health professionals.
In many cases, a patient may be taking various drugs prescribed by several different medical specialists for various ailments. Certain drugs don't mix well with others, and harmful side effects can result. Under the waiver's terms, a physician, after diagnosing the disease, may refer a patient to a credentialed pharmacist for chronic drug therapy management under a patient-care plan agreed upon by the pharmacist and physician. The pharmacist will evaluate the patient, review drug therapy with the doctor, and educate the patient about managing the disease and sticking to the drug regimen. The goal, Byrd said, is to reduce emergency room visits and unnecessary hospital stays.