County pharmacists address medication safety and rising drug utilization concerns
May 22, 2025 | Shawnee County, Kansas
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The Shawnee County Commission Work Session held on May 22, 2025, focused on critical discussions surrounding healthcare management, particularly the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their impact on prescription drug utilization and costs.
The session began with a commissioner expressing concerns about the complexities of the healthcare system, highlighting the adversarial role of PBMs against pharmaceutical manufacturers. The commissioner noted that while manufacturers advocate for their products, PBMs often prioritize cost over patient care, leading to challenges for both healthcare providers and patients.
A representative from TRIA, a healthcare management program, presented on their approach to supporting county employees. The representative emphasized the importance of advocating for patients rather than merely focusing on financial aspects. They noted that TRIA's pharmacists actively engage with patients to ensure they understand their medications and manage their health effectively, including addressing medication interactions and compliance.
The discussion also touched on the rising trend of prescription drug utilization, with the representative indicating that many patients expect prescriptions during medical visits, which can lead to unnecessary medication use. This phenomenon is compounded by direct-to-consumer advertising, which may influence patients to request specific drugs from their doctors.
The session concluded with a commitment from TRIA to continue monitoring medication use and to alert healthcare providers and patients about potential issues with prescribed therapies. The representatives reiterated their holistic approach to patient care, which includes lifestyle management alongside medication oversight.
Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges in healthcare management, particularly regarding the influence of PBMs and the need for patient-centered advocacy in prescription drug management. The commission plans to follow up on these discussions to enhance healthcare outcomes for county employees.
The session began with a commissioner expressing concerns about the complexities of the healthcare system, highlighting the adversarial role of PBMs against pharmaceutical manufacturers. The commissioner noted that while manufacturers advocate for their products, PBMs often prioritize cost over patient care, leading to challenges for both healthcare providers and patients.
A representative from TRIA, a healthcare management program, presented on their approach to supporting county employees. The representative emphasized the importance of advocating for patients rather than merely focusing on financial aspects. They noted that TRIA's pharmacists actively engage with patients to ensure they understand their medications and manage their health effectively, including addressing medication interactions and compliance.
The discussion also touched on the rising trend of prescription drug utilization, with the representative indicating that many patients expect prescriptions during medical visits, which can lead to unnecessary medication use. This phenomenon is compounded by direct-to-consumer advertising, which may influence patients to request specific drugs from their doctors.
The session concluded with a commitment from TRIA to continue monitoring medication use and to alert healthcare providers and patients about potential issues with prescribed therapies. The representatives reiterated their holistic approach to patient care, which includes lifestyle management alongside medication oversight.
Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges in healthcare management, particularly regarding the influence of PBMs and the need for patient-centered advocacy in prescription drug management. The commission plans to follow up on these discussions to enhance healthcare outcomes for county employees.
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