Nathan Ramsbacher, PharmD, a clinical assistant professor of pharmacotherapy at Washington State University, is shedding light on the transformative role clinical pharmacists play in diabetes management. By improving medication access and healthcare outcomes, particularly through manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs, Ramsbacher’s team has achieved remarkable success in reducing costs for diabetes patients.
In a comprehensive strategy to tackle medication costs, the pharmacy team at Washington State University enrolled 75 patients in these assistance programs, saving an average of $11,000 per person. This initiative resulted in approximately $867,000 in medication cost savings over a year, highlighting the significant impact of such programs on patient care.
Leveraging Patient Assistance Programs
Clinical pharmacists are increasingly recognized for their ability to navigate the complexities of medication access. Ramsbacher emphasizes that one of the biggest barriers to improving clinical outcomes is the financial burden of medications. “A great deal of the patients that I saw initially had poor glycemic control not only due to lack of education but primarily due to lack of access to these crucial medications,” he explained.
Two major classes of diabetes medications, SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, are often recommended but come with high costs. Ramsbacher’s team focused on ensuring that patients prescribed these medications could access them through manufacturer-sponsored programs, which often cover nearly 100% of the medication costs for those who qualify.
“Overall, we signed up about 75 people for these programs and saved about an average of $11,000 per person, or around $867,000 total in the last year,” Ramsbacher noted, highlighting the substantial financial relief provided to patients.
Collaboration in Primary Care
The integration of clinical pharmacists into primary care teams is crucial for effective diabetes management. Ramsbacher advocates for the presence of pharmacists in every primary care clinic, emphasizing their role in medication management and patient education. “There’s a strong need for pharmacists to be involved in navigating medication access and improving medication management of chronic diseases,” he stated.
While Washington state allows pharmacists to bill for Medicaid and commercial insurances, Ramsbacher calls for broader changes at the federal level. He stresses the need for CMS to recognize and reimburse the valuable services provided by pharmacists, which are already demonstrating significant value in patient care.
Advocacy and Future Directions
Ramsbacher acknowledges the support from Multicare and Washington State University in advancing the pharmacy profession. He credits their advocacy for the success of programs like his, which continue to expand and demonstrate positive outcomes for patients.
“Multicare is a really strong leader in the pharmacy world, and we are continuing to expand pharmacy services and grow these programs as we’re demonstrating success after success,” Ramsbacher expressed, looking forward to future advancements in patient care.
Conclusion
The role of clinical pharmacists in diabetes management is pivotal, especially in overcoming financial barriers to medication access. By leveraging patient assistance programs and integrating pharmacists into primary care teams, significant improvements in healthcare outcomes can be achieved. As the healthcare landscape evolves, continued advocacy and policy changes will be essential to fully realize the potential of clinical pharmacists in improving population health.
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