Patients' needs and interests in a self-pay medication therapy management service.

OBJECTIVES

To determine patients' willingness to receive and self-pay for medication therapy management (MTM) services and to examine factors that may influence willingness to pay.

METHODS

A self-administered, anonymous survey was given to a convenience sample of patients at grocery store chain pharmacies in the Chicago metropolitan area.

RESULTS

683 patients completed the survey. The average price patients were willing to pay for MTM services was $17.57. The majority of patients felt that pharmacists should provide MTM services. No correlation was found between complexity of the medication regimen and willingness to pay. Presence of certain chronic conditions and insurance status appeared to have a correlation with willingness to pay.

CONCLUSION

Patients were interested in MTM services and recognize pharmacists as potential providers. Prices patients were willing to pay are similar to many prescription copay amounts.