Saint Elizabeth’s offers new program to help management medications

Every Sunday evening Jack readies his pill box for the coming week. Carefully and cautiously, he packages his doses by proper amount in the proper compartment. On any given day, he’s on five to seven different medications. Jack takes prescription drugs for his high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. His daily regime also includes aspirin, vitamins, and on occasion, antacids. The number of pills Jack pops is more than some and fewer than many. 
As more medical conditions are treated and managed with medications, prescription drug spending is growing at an average annual rate of 11-17%. And with this increase comes the challenge of managing medications so patients get the most from them. Recent studies report that for every $1.00 expended on medication, an additional $1.30 is spent managing drug therapy problems. Factors impacting medication effectiveness can range from the simplistic to the complex. It’s rarely enough to simply follow the label instructions – Take three times a day with 8 oz. of water.  Can the drug be taken on an empty stomach? Can I take my calcium and vitamins at the same time? What if I miss my morning pill? Can I take two at lunchtime? Are there side effects? Can I cut my pill in half so it doesn’t cost so much? These, and a myriad of other questions, may flood the consciousness of patients when they are prescribed a new medication for a new malady.
As more patients are experiencing multiple chronic diseases and taking more medications to combat symptoms, it is becoming increasingly important to call upon the expertise of a clinical pharmacist to help navigate through the small print of prescription guidelines. This is where Saint Elizabeth’s Medication Therapy Management Program comes into play. With grant funding from a Rural Pharmacy Transition Grant, administered by the Office of Rural Health & Primary Care of the Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Elizabeth’s is launching a new program that helps patients get the most from their medications.
Under the leadership of clinical pharmacists and in cooperation with Wabasha Clinic-part
of Lake City Medical Center-Mayo Health System physicians and providers, Medication Therapy Management provides a personalized approach to managing a patient’s medication regime and solving possible drug therapy problems. After a consultation and careful analysis of all prescriptions, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and herbals, the MTM pharmacist answers questions and offers recommendations for improving drug effectiveness. If changes in a prescription are suggested, the patient’s physician/provider is contacted.
According to Bob Rouzitalab, PharmD, pharmacy resident and coordinator of the program, MTM is an invaluable tool to increase the awareness and understanding of the healing power of medications.
“Medications are a potent force in the treatment and recovery process,” Bob explains. “But they can also cause harm if they are not taken properly. It is our goal to work in partnership with our patients to help them manage their medications and experience the best outcomes possible.”
Bob joined the staff of Saint Elizabeth’s in July for a one-year stint as a rural pharmacy resident. Typically, residents assigned to a rural rotation are in their senior year of pharmacy school or have just graduated. They are green but ready to test their classroom knowledge behind a pharmacy counter. Bob is an anomaly of sorts. His educational and career portfolio is brimming with years of experience in both clinical and retail settings. He earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and pursued his doctorate degree upon his return to California. For 10 years he was a practicing pharmacist in retail pharmacies and with a large long-term care system.
“About a year ago, I paused to evaluate my career and develop new goals for myself, he shares. “I intentionally decided that I wanted to place myself into a new learning environment where I could devote more time to advancing my education and updating myself on the changes in the pharmaceutical field. When I was working full-time, it was extremely difficult to keep up with the rapid progress of the industry. This residency has given me a unique opportunity to study, network with students and staff, and develop a new program from the ground up.”
Bob is one of 14 pharmacy residents who were selected and placed in rural pharmacy settings across the state.  The Rural Pharmacy Residency Program is affiliated with the University of Minnesota - College of Pharmacy. The rural rotation is a yearlong clinical practice experience crafted to elevate the skills, knowledge, and rural awareness of pharmacists. Saint Elizabeth’s was named a clinical site just this year and welcomed Bob as its first resident.
“It’s been a great experience,” he comments. “I have always felt at home in the Midwest.
The region, culture, people, and academics are superior. Here at Saint Elizabeth’s, I’ve been able to participate in the full continuum of care - from prevention through long-term care. I have enjoyed working with the pharmacy team, nurses, clinicians, and physicians, and look forward to meeting with patients and helping them manage their medications so they feel better, improve their health, and experience the best results possible.”
To learn more about Medication Therapy Management or to set up an appointment, talk to your physician/provider or call 651-565-5527.