The Wisconsin Pharmacy Quality Collaborative--a team-based approach to optimizing medication therapy outcomes

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Pharmaceutical Policy
• Public Health

Background:

• The Wisconsin Pharmacy Quality Collaborative (WPQC) is a Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin initiative.
• A $4.1 million Health Care Innovation Award funded statewide expansion of the WPQC.
• The project aimed to reduce Wisconsin healthcare costs by over $20 million.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve medication use and patient safety.
• To reduce healthcare costs for patients and payers.
• To foster pharmacist-physician partnerships for better health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Redesigning community pharmacy practices.
• Facilitating medication management services.
• Providing intervention-based services and comprehensive medication reviews for eligible members.

Main Results:

• Improved medication adherence and reduced adverse events.
• Significant cost savings for healthcare payers and patients.
• Enhanced collaboration between pharmacists and physicians.

Conclusions:

• The WPQC effectively improved medication use, patient safety, and healthcare economics.
• Community pharmacy-led initiatives can achieve substantial cost reductions and health improvements.
• Strengthening interprofessional collaboration is key to optimizing patient health outcomes.