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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Friedrich
Megan
M
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Drake University, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311, USA. megan.friedrich@drake.edu
Zgarrick
David
D
Masood
Amir
A
Montuoro
Jaime
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002641:Chicago; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004180:Direct Service Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054539:Medication Therapy Management / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult