Policymakers are discussing options to strengthen the nation’s health care system, improve quality and safety, provide coverage and benefits for millions of uninsured and underinsured Americans, and respond to the challenge of meeting the health care needs of the American population, especially an aging America. Our nation’s pharmacists play a critical role in providing affordable, accessible and quality health care. Decisions made to reform our health care system should enhance, fully recognize and utilize the professional skills and competencies of pharmacists. Proper use of prescription medications helps improve quality of life and health outcomes. However, the health care system incurs more than $177 billion1 annually in mostly avoidable health care costs to treat adverse events from inappropriate medication use. The proper use of medication becomes even more important as treatment of chronic disease costs the health care system $1.3 trillion annually, or about 75 cents of every
Playlist Sections
