Mitigation of medication mishaps via medication therapy management.

Background: In 2006, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services incorporated the requirement for a Medication Therapy Management Program (MTMP) for individuals with Part D coverage to ensure that drug regimens provide optimal therapeutic outcomes through improved medication use, thereby reducing adverse drug events.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an MTMP implemented for Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug members enrolled with Health Alliance Plan (HAP) during 2006 and 2007.

Methods: Patient eligibility for MTMP was searched electronically.

Reduction of high-risk polypharmacy drug combinations in patients in a managed care setting.

Study Objectives: To enhance physician and patient awareness of polypharmacy; to decrease the risks, drug costs, and waste resulting from polypharmacy; and to make the business case for reducing misuse, overuse, and underuse of drugs by reducing polypharmacy.

Design: Longitudinal, time series cohort.

Setting: Outpatient, managed care, integrated delivery system.