CDTM

Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM)
SUPPORT
S.3292/LaValle
A.6848/Canestrari

We strongly support a change in the pharmacy practice statute that will authorize pharmacists to collaborate with physicians in managing drug therapy as is allowed in a majority of states and envisioned in the federal legislation that created the Medicare Part D prescription benefit. Pharmacists in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes have traditionally been authoritative and effective members of the clinical care team. This legislation allows physicians to voluntarily delegate certain authority to pharmacists who agree to participate in collaboration agreements. Medical literature clearly sets forth the benefits of this collaboration in terms of medication therapy outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost control. In skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, this bill promotes greater efficiency in the health care delivery system and allows for the more efficient use of the physician's time for patients with more complex medical needs.

A relatively new provision in the bill will allow SED to select a very limited number of community pharmacist to also participate in collaborative agreements. Many pharmacists have specialized in certain disease areas such as asthma, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and have developed medication compliance and disease management programs in community pharmacy settings. It is wholly appropriate that the opportunity to collaborate with willing physicians be extended to them. We strongly support passage of this legislation this session.

PSSNY's 08 CDTM Support Memo