What is Medication Management?

After proper diagnosis, medication plays a big role in treating patients of their diseases and illnesses. Individuals from all over the world are experiencing improved quality of life. However, for medications to be effective, the right prescription must be administered and other differences must be taken into consideration. It might also require frequent visitation and check-ups with the doctor to update the medication plan.

And that’s where a patient medicine reminder system can come in handy. But that is a story for another day. In this article, we will focus on medication management and its importance.

Medication management

Medication management is an outpatient service whereby the practice evaluates the medical needs of a patient before prescribing drugs. Medication management is a continuous process since a patient’s immune system can develop changes throughout the treatment. The patient would no longer be benefiting from the treatment.

Medication management involves several processes:

  • Continuous review and assessment of patient prescriptions; and an analysis of possible side effects.
  • Long- and short-term medication plans.
  • Conceptualization and implementation of safety protocols for all medication plans.
  • Educating patients on the need for compliance to directions and instructions stated on prescriptions.
  • Detailed documentation by the medical practice and communication with patients

From the description, it can be concluded that medication management is a combined effort from both medical professionals and pharmacies.  

Importance of medication management

Medical practices that use medication management offer improved and quality care to the patients. Through medication management, patients can receive updated reports on their health and the treatment of their diseases.

One important consideration of medication management is the prevention of side effects and drug interactions. While drugs have been continuously tested in the labs, there is always a small chance that they may interact badly with a person or two. Medication management prevents such a development. Doctors can monitor your status and take you off the prescribed drug.

With medication management, the medical practice, as well as the family, gets to save quite some money. Implementation of medication management processes reduces the number of emergency visits and hospitals stay.

For older adults, who are in their fifties and sixties, medication management helps to obtain better solutions to their illnesses. As people grow older, their bodies are no longer as strong or as virile. They are susceptible to being attacked by some illnesses, in various forms. Continuous medication management seeks to solve this. For any senior community in the country, medication management should be considered in your policies.

Medication management allows for the medical practice to monitor the treatment and reduce the possibility of any negative reactions of the patient from the drugs. Individuals can obtain the drugs they need regularly. The quality of life improves exponentially and reduces the stress of loved ones.