The benefits of physician-pharmacist collaboration

Over the past decade, physician-pharmacist collaborative practices have gained traction in primary care as a way to implement team-based-care models. And there is evidence pointing to the effectiveness of this multidisciplinary heath care team approach, in which pharmacists are typically responsible for such things as obtaining medication histories, identifying barriers to adherence, and adjusting medication regimens. Several studies have shown the significant impact that physician-pharmacist collaborative management (PPCM) can have on blood pressure control among patients with hypertension. Additionally, PPCM may have positive effects on HbA1c reduction and diabetes control, suggesting that benefits may extend to other chronic diseases, too.