Complicated drug regimens — which may include multiple drugs, multiple prescribers, and differing instructions for use — can be confusing, if not downright dangerous. In the U.S., 119,000 annual deaths are linked to prescription medication-related issues. The concern is compounded for individuals with complex needs, who may take as many as 15 to 20 medications daily.

Providers and community-based pharmacies can play an innovative role in helping to guide patients with complicated drug regimens. During this 60-minute webinar, learn how the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin is training technicians to implement final product verification in order to free up pharmacists so they can focus clinical patient management. Additionally, hear how Northwestern University Health’s Literacy and Learning Program is piloting the Universal Medication Schedule to standardize prescription labels and address complicated medication regimens.

The webinar presenters are participating in the Community Management of Medication Complexity Innovation Lab, a national initiative led by the Center for Health Care Strategies with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Agenda

I. Welcome and Overview of the Community Management of Medication Complexity Innovation Lab

Speaker: Bianca Freda, Program Officer, CHCS

Bianca Freda welcomed participants and introduced the panelists, Kari Trapskin and Michael Wolf. She provided a brief overview about how providers and health systems are addressing medication complexity through community-based medication management strategies.

II. Optimization of a Statewide Medication Therapy Management Program

Speaker: Kari Trapskin, PharmD, Vice President, Health Care Quality Initiatives at the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin

Kari Trapskin described the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin’s experience expanding comprehensive medication reviews in community pharmacies as part of a statewide Medication Therapy Management program, and training technicians across the state to implement final product verification in order to free up pharmacist’s time to provide clinical patient management. She also highlighted successes, challenges, and lessons.

III. Simplifying Complex Medication Regimens Using the Universal Medication Schedule

Speaker: Mike Wolf, MPH, PhD, Professor, Medicine and Learning Sciences; Associate Vice-Chair of Research, Department of Medicine; Associate Division Chief, General Internal Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Mike Wolf described Northwestern University’s Health, Literacy and Learning Program’s partnership with Oak Street Health, a network of primary care practices for adults on Medicare, and their pilot of the Universal Medication Schedule to standardize and simplify language for prescription labels and streamline complicated medication routines. He also shared lessons from implementing the tool with older adults from underserved neighborhoods.

IV. Moderated Q&A

Moderator: Bianca Freda