CMM is a session with a pharmacist to go over in great detail the person’s health and medication routine, including medical history, vaccinations, treatment history (success and failures) with prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and other therapies. Family history, risk factors, diet, and social history are also collected. The session usually takes about 1 hour, and can be performed at the pharmacy or at the patient's home or office. The pharmacist solicits issues and concerns that the patient is experiencing and also the patient goals for therapy. The pharmacist also obtains information from the physician including a list of diagnoses, therapy goals, laboratory data, diagnostic tests, and patient monitoring. The pharmacist then evaluates the collected information, focusing on pairing conditions and treatments, screening for omissions or duplications of therapy, compliance with evidence-based treatment guidelines, evaluation of treatment and dosing regimens for drug interactions, side effects, patient organ function and metabolism, compliance with treatment regimen, disease state or drug therapy monitoring, disease prevention recommendations, and other relevant considerations. The pharmacist generates a comprehensive report of findings and recommendations. The pharmacist meets with the patient to go over findings and recommendations. This session usually takes 30-minutes. The pharmacist report should also be shared with the patient’s physician(s). ​ For best outcomes, care should be discussed and coordinated between physicians, pharmacists, and patients. Only physicians can modify their patient’s prescription therapy. The pharmacist can provide the physicians with additional information and can work with the physician to help implement treatment changes in the safest manner possible. Not all changes can or should be made immediately. Therapy changes need to be followed carefully since the plan may change based on patient response.

CMM is a review of your entire medication profile that can help identify duplications, omissions, interactions, side effects and other opportunities for optimizing or otherwise improving treatments. As people age, their organ function or metabolism changes and they may develop new health issues. People also often see multiple health care providers that prescribe therapy within their own specific scope of practice, experience acute health events that later resolve, all which can be associated with therapy changes, which in turn should occasion a critical review. Even something as mundane as a change in insurance coverage or formulary creates therapy changes that may affect the overall health of the individual. Ultimately, having a professional that is focused on evaluating the entire treatment profile with an eye on coordination and optimization can be an important asset to someone’s health. The pharmacist can also help identify opportunities for cost savings either through the selection of a different health plan or through therapy changes to generic or preferred therapies.

Written recommendations for the best medication administration timing and techniques. You will also have a road map for medication-related changes or optimizations, which should be discussed with your physician(s). Most changes should be made gradually with follow up and modifications as needed to make sure that desired effects are realized. Recommendations for lifestyle modifications, including diet, social and/or physical activities. A complete and accurate list of your medications to keep on you and to share with all your providers. A better sense of security and control of your medication therapy.

Sign consent and release forms to allow the pharmacist to obtain necessary information (e.g. laboratory data, vaccination and medication history) from your physicians or other providers. Bring all your medications (prescription and non-prescription) to the appointment. Collect information on your family history, health history, vaccinations, and other health data. Fill out the Patient Health and History Review (link below) The more complete the information you provide the pharmacist, the more comprehensive their evaluation and findings.