DRUG PROGRAM WILL ASSIST NEW PART D PATIENTS

Community Care Rx (CCRx) recently launched its Welcome toCCRx Medication Review Program, a program created to helpnew members and improve their transition into CCRx'sMedicare Part D plan. The outcome elevates the quality of careto beneficiaries through face-to-face meetings with their communitypharmacists for a timely review of their drug regimensas they enroll in the prescription drug benefit. The MedicationReview Program will be a reimbursable service for pharmacists.

CCRx officials are aware that one-on-one encounters withthe patient's pharmacists can be more effective to guaranteeclinically appropriate and timely medication transitions. Duringa Medication Review, community pharmacists will work withCCRx beneficiaries to evaluate their current medication use andmake suggestions related to the following:

• Clinical concerns, including potentially harmful druginteractions
• Transition planning for drugs that are not part of theCCRx formulary
• Ways to reduce beneficiaries'costs by switching toless expensive or preferred brand drugs

"We believe that CCRx is taking a gigantic step in theright direction by engaging the services of the communitypharmacist to better care for Medicare beneficiaries," saidBruce Roberts, RPh, executive vice president and chiefexecutive officer for the National Community PharmacistsAssociation. "Community pharmacists are medicationexperts, and their patients have a high comfort level andtrust in them."