I n health care, there is a silent and often unrecognized dependency on health information technology (HIT). It underlies every element of managed care pharmacy, from payers managing a pharmacy benefit through the provision of medication therapy management (MTM) and innovative programs that deliver quality pharmaceutical care to providers involved in direct patient care. It is also redefining how key stakeholders in medication management communicate with each other.This commentary describes how managed care pharmacy uses HIT today and how that will evolve in the near future. It examines how information is shared among managed care programs, providers, sponsors, government, and members, facilitating more informed decision making and enhancing productivity and efficiency. It also presents challenges and opportunities for moving forward. These insights were identified by a subset of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Healthcare Information Technology Advisory Council, whose role is to advise AMCP membership on the role of HIT in managed care pharmacy and who believes that for HIT to continue to serve managed care pharmacy, AMCP must be involved in its development. ■■ HIT in Managed Care Pharmacy TodayManaged care pharmacy currently employs many essential HIT tools including pharmacy claims processing, electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), computerized physician order entry (CPOE), and electronic health records (EHRs). SUMMARYUnderstanding the use of health information technology (HIT) and its implications is crucial for the future of managed care pharmacy. Information is the cornerstone of providing and managing care, and the ability to exchange data is easier and more complicated than ever before. In this commentary, a subset of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Healthcare Information Technology Advisory Council addresses how HIT supports managed care today and its anticipated evolution, with a focus on quality, patient safety, communication, and efficiency. Among the tools and functions reviewed are electronic health records, electronic prescribing, health information exchange, electronic prior authorization, pharmacists as care team members, formularies, prescription drug abuse, and policy levers to address these issues.
The AMCP Partnership Forum on Driving New Advances in Dyslipidemia Management and the development of this proceedings document was supported by Lilly USA, MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Merck & Co., PerformRx, Pfizer, and Sanofi.
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