I have spent the past 10 weeks criss-crossing the country talking to pharmacy groups about the value pharmacists add to the care of hypertension through MTM (medication therapy management). Many Part D providers have established their own telephonic MTM departments and these pharmacists work with patients on an individual basis. Last Wednesday evening when I was in Nashvile, I mentioned that pharmacists are working with patients in primary care offices and clinics, especially those offices owned by large hospital groups. Two of the pharmacists there were both working in an office and we were discussing how hard it is to get a prescriber to realize how valuble this service can be. Now a new study published in Diabetic Medicine showed that in a randomized trial that "adding pharmacists to primary care teams reduces predicted long-term risk of cardiovascular events in Type 2 diabetic patients without established cardiovascular disease."
An even better way to reduce CVD risk is physical activity as this week's Item #3, One More Study: Increasing Physical Activity Slashes CV Events and Deaths for Type 2's, points out that higher levels of leisure-time physical activity cut the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in people with type 2 diabetes by two-thirds.
Be sure to check out our Mobile App of the Week from MPR (Monthly Prescribing Reference) along with all of our clinician-focused apps featured in our new Mobile Apps sections.
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Announcements:
The TCOYD Continuing Medical Education Program offers a unique opportunity to bridge patient and professional education, demonstrating the link between clinical lessons in the classroom to the real life patient experience. Find out more here.
Please answer this week's poll: With the election coming up, do you plan to vote?
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We can make a difference!
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Dave Joffe, Editor-in-chief |
