Jason Sutton, RPh, FASCP

👨‍⚕️ 👩‍⚕️ Specialty pharmacies often seek URAC (Utilization Review Accreditation Commission) accreditation to demonstrate their commitment to quality and best practices in managing complex medication therapies. This accreditation is crucial as it provides a seal of approval recognized by payers, patients, and other healthcare stakeholders, indicating that the specialty pharmacy meets rigorous standards in areas such as patient care, pharmacy operations, and patient safety. Importance of a Medication Adherence Program 💊 A critical component of URAC accreditation for specialty pharmacies is having a robust medication adherence program. Medication adherence refers to whether patients take their medications as prescribed, which is vital in managing chronic and complex conditions commonly handled by specialty pharmacies. A comprehensive medication adherence program typically includes: Patient Education: Ensuring patients understand their medication regimen and the importance of adherence. Regular Follow-Up: Using phone calls, texts, or digital platforms to remind patients to take their medications and refill prescriptions. Monitoring and Reporting: Tracking patient adherence and reporting outcomes to healthcare providers. Intervention Strategies: Implementing strategies to address non-adherence, such as counseling or adjusting medication schedules. Using the MMAS for Medication Adherence Some specialty pharmacies would like to use tools like the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) to measure and improve medication adherence. The MMAS is a validated questionnaire that assesses patients’ adherence behaviors. It includes questions about forgetfulness, carelessness, stopping medication when feeling better, and stopping medication when feeling worse. Benefits of Using MMAS Standardized Assessment: Provides a consistent method to evaluate adherence across different patient populations. Identifies Barriers: Helps identify specific reasons for non-adherence, allowing targeted interventions. Improves Patient Outcomes: By systematically identifying and addressing adherence issues, pharmacies can improve patient outcomes. Documentation for URAC: Demonstrates a structured approach to monitoring adherence, which is a critical requirement for URAC accreditation. Implementing an MMAS-Based Adherence Program Training Staff: Ensure pharmacy staff are trained to administer the MMAS and interpret the results. Integrating into Workflow: Incorporate the MMAS assessment into routine patient interactions, such as during medication pick-up or follow-up calls. Data Analysis: Regularly analyze the collected data to identify trends and areas for improvement. Continuous Improvement: Use the insights gained from MMAS to continuously refine the adherence program, making adjustments based on patient feedback and outcomes. URAC Asembia Asembia-1 CVS Health CVS Specialty 🤷‍♂️ 🤦‍♂️

6