Supporting Safe and Effective Use of Medications

Pharmacy faculty and students at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) are providing personalized medication reviews to qualified individuals through a new agreement with the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA). The pharmacy team conducts comprehensive reviews of a person’s medications to ensure that they are safe, effective, and appropriate for the individual’s health needs. In addition to prescription medications, the review includes over-the-counter drugs, herbal therapies, vitamins, and dietary supplements. A resulting medication action plan, which includes recommended changes and reminders, is provided and reviewed with each individual. Pertinent medication recommendations are forwarded to the person’s primary care provider and/or specialists.

This review process is referred to as Medication Therapy Management (MTM). “MTM is one of the services that pharmacists are trained and licensed to offer with their specialized expertise related to medication,” said Camlyn Masuda, PharmD, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and supervisor of the MTM program. “These reviews can result in improved health outcomes, as well as enhanced communication between patients and their health care team.”

DKICP pharmacy students have been hired to assist with the program, as this would benefit them by applying the knowledge and skills they are learning to patients. According to Charlotte Powell, a third year DKICP pharmacy student, “Working in the MTM program has given me valuable insight into the complexity of launching and maintaining a new health care service program. The MTM program has offered me a rare opportunity to apply communication and clinical skills, as well as learn about the many moving parts involved to make a health care program run smoothly.”

HMSA Federal Plan 87 members are eligible for the MTM program and can schedule a medication review. We will be contacting eligible members. However, members may also schedule an appointment by calling 808-210-3120. There is no added cost for the medication review; it is a benefit for HMSA Federal Plan 87 members and participation is voluntary. For additional information, email hmsamtm@ucera.org.

Pharmacy students working in the MTM suite