APhA recently submitted comments on the draft National Action Plan for Adverse Drug Event (ADE) Prevention, and in the process found an ally in the American Health Quality Association (AHQA). The Action Plan is a project of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The draft Action Plan focuses on the prevention of ADEs related to three drug classes—anticoagulants, diabetes agents, and opioids.

We support the Action Plan, which recognizes the value of pharmacist services in preventing and reducing ADEs and improving overall patient health outcomes. Additionally, the Action Plan notes that while there are barriers to full utilization of pharmacist services—specifically the fact that these services are not a covered benefit, APhA and other stakeholders are actively striving to secure reimbursement for these essential services.

APhA and HHS are not alone in their recognition of the value of pharmacists’ patient care services. In comments on the draft Action Plan, AHQA has nothing but praise for pharmacists’ services and repeatedly notes that they are integral to providing the highest quality care to patients. AHQA represents Quality Improvement Organizations and professionals working with local health care providers, and works directly with CMS to improve the quality of care across the United States.

Regarding reimbursement for pharmacy services, AHQA unequivocally states, “We recommend that recognition of pharmacists as providers is included in the [Action Plan] as a central component of drug safety efforts.” AQHA further notes that pharmacists are central to effective integrated medication management efforts and care transitions, and states that “national recognition of qualified Advanced Practice Clinical Pharmacists and collaborative practice with providers (including ARNP and PA) for medication management would be ideal for improved medication safety and would likely assist with the anticipated shortage of primary care providers.”
Support from AQHA, whose members are the arbiters of health care quality, speaks volumes about the great significance of pharmacists’ services in the health care system. APhA appreciates AQHA’s ringing endorsement and looks forward to continued progress in advancing pharmacists’ services.