The American Society of Consultant Pharmacist has sent an official comment to CMS. Earlier this year CMS proposed a rule change to keep consultant pharmacists separate of the long term care pharmacy provider. Proposing this change is a direct result of an increased use of antitpsychotic medications.

The correlation between the use of antipsychotics and consultant pharmacists is unclear. As a matter of fact, board member and former president Karl Steinberg described the usefulness of the consultant pharmacist in questioning use of antipsychotics and requesting dose reductions.

If CMS moves forward with this rule change, it may pose to be a challenge for many consultant pharmacists in setting up infrastructure to practice on their own without the support of a dispensing pharmacy.

It is important to note, the CALTCM board decided not to take a position on this matter.

We will keep you posted on the outcome of this issue.