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September 29, 2015
Honorable Jason M. Lewis, Senate Chair
Joint Committee on Public Health
State House Room 511B
Boston, MA 02133
Honorable Kate Hogan, House Chair
Joint Committee on Public Health
State House, Room 130
Boston, MA 02133
Re: Testimony in support of H.2041, An Act Recognizing Pharmacists as Healthcare Providers
Dear Chairman Lewis, Chairwoman Hogan, and honored members of the committee:
On behalf of the Massachusetts Pharmacists Association (MPhA), which represents pharmacists
from all practice settings, we offer the following comments on H.2041.
According to the CDC, about half of all adults - 117 million people - have one or more chronic
health conditions. One of four adults has two or more chronic health conditions. For those
patients with complex medical conditions on multiple medications, a pharmacist's clinical
services can be invaluable.
Although an individual has the right to consult with a pharmacist free of charge, many patients
require and do not receive a comprehensive medication review and the counseling to ensure that
they are receiving the optimal medication therapy. Incorrect dosing, preventable side effects,
and polypharmacy, are some of the many problems that lead to poor health outcomes and higher
costs. A healthcare system that only compensates the pharmacist, the medication expert, to get
drugs out the door provides a clear disincentive to counsel patients and provide them with the
services they need to promote the best medication use and health outcome. Until this changes,
the staggering costs - some studies put this figure at close to $300 billion - related to improper
medication use will persist.
In 2009 the legislature passed the Collaborative Drug Therapy Management law, M.G.L. Chapter
112, Section 24B1/2. This law recognized the pharmacists unique skills and provided for the
integration of the pharmacist into the care team. Currently, under a collaborative care agreement
with a physician, a pharmacist can manage a patient’s drug therapy, including initiating, altering
and terminating medications to provide the best outcome. However, pharmacists are not
compensated for this service, and the pharmacist's most important skills - as the medication
expert - remains an untapped resource for patient care. Attached are two studies that are among
many that demonstrate the cost effective care that can be provided when the pharmacist is
integrated into the patient's care team. This bill could bring about the most important change in
chronic disease management in decades.
In addition, this bill enlists the pharmacist into two important public health campaigns, smoking
cessation and unwanted pregnancies. Mirroring current practices in California, the bill permits
pharmacists to dispense nicotine replacement therapies and hormonal contraceptives by protocols
established jointly by the Boards of Medicine and Pharmacy. The accessibility of the
pharmacist, particularly in low income communities, could have important benefits to these
residents of the Commonwealth.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
David E. Johnson
Executive Vice President