Medication therapy management supports patients through new or changing prescriptions

Managing a chronic illness like diabetes or an autoimmune disease is challenging, especially when more than one medication is needed for treatment.

Our Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program is home to a team of clinical pharmacists who partner with providers to ensure patients are on the most appropriate medication, and to help patients better understand their medications – including how different medications interact with each other – and find opportunities to improve treatment.

“We are an integrative part of a patient’s care team,” said Kelly Schweim, PharmD, RPH, a manager with our MTM program. “We work alongside their providers and offer medication expertise to help patients meet their goals. We're able to spend additional time with patients to answer any questions they have about their medications and make sure they’re empowered in their treatment plan.”

Our MTM pharmacists see patients in both primary care and specialty care. Participants in the program have reported feeling more confident in taking their medications, being in better health, and getting the benefits they expect from their medications.

Encouraged by this positive impact, we began an expansion of our MTM program on July 5, 2023 at M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center – Minneapolis. The service is growing for people receiving care in rheumatology and gastroenterology, and is newly available to patients in dermatology. This fall, we’ll be opening a shared clinic space at M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood for pharmacists and providers practicing in these three specialties.

Rachel Wedemeyer, PharmD, RPH, is a pharmacist with our MTM program. She takes on the role of both educator and advocate for patients. In addition to teaching them about their medications, Wedemeyer helps them navigate insurance and find ways to potentially lower medication costs.

“I’m able to sit with patients, learn about their goals, and help them understand how taking their medications properly can help them achieve these goals,” said Wedemeyer, who works in the rheumatology clinic at M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center – Minneapolis. “When patients understand why they are taking what they are taking, they are more likely to keep going with the medication and improve their overall health.”

This was the case for Patricia Yates, who began working with Wedemeyer last year after being diagnosed with polymyositis, a form of chronic muscle inflammation that caused debilitating weakness and pain. Because Yates was also managing other chronic health conditions, she had dozens of prescription medications to coordinate.

“I needed to make sure any new medication wouldn’t complicate what I was already taking, and wouldn’t cause any negative interaction,” said Yates. “I keep in touch with Rachel about everything. If I’m taking a new cold medication, I’ll get in touch. If I’m experiencing new symptoms, I’ll call Rachel and we’ll see if we need to make any adjustments.”

For Yates, Wedemeyer is an important member of her care team, someone who is there to answer questions and discuss concerns in the wake of a frightening diagnosis.

“Rachel explained every medication I was prescribed and why I needed to take it,” said Yates. “We also talked a lot about the disease, and how I was feeling. That was extremely helpful, because this diagnosis was frightening and came on quickly. She got me through the process of receiving the diagnosis and beginning treatment. Without her, I don’t know where I would have been.”

Parastoo Fazeli, MD, Yates’ rheumatologist and an associate professor at University of Minnesota Medical School, appreciates working with Wedemeyer and the MTM program because of the additional education and support pharmacists can provide. Doctors may not have time to give an in-depth explanation for each medication, especially when patients are managing multiple conditions and dozens of medications – that's where the MTM team comes in.

“One of the joys of being a provider is seeing a good outcome for our patients,” said Fazeli. “Rachel not only helps us educate patients, but she acts as a care coordinator, manages the prescriptions patients are getting, and connects with us if we need to adjust. We're able to achieve good results for our patients because of our team approach, including the MTM program.”