ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Legislation that enables pharmacists to administer medication therapy management (MTM) services to patients in Louisiana has drawn praise from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Signed into law on June 25 by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (D.), the bill was introduced by State Rep. Fred Mills (D., St. Martin), who is also a pharmacist, at the request of the chain pharmacy industry, according to NACDS.

The new law gives authority to the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals to create an MTM pharmacy program. NACDS and state pharmacy partners worked on behalf of pharmacy to help push through the legislation.

"This victory in Louisiana further illustrates that pharmacist-administered medication therapy management is an important component in helping patients stay healthy and in reducing health care costs," NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson said in a statement. "Pharmacists are uniquely qualified to offer health screenings and counsel patients about how to take their medications in the right ways to achieve better results. The law will also enable pharmacists to assist patients in managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes."

Anderson added, "NACDS applauds the efforts of Rep. Fred Mills for leading the charge in the state legislature to pass this bill, and we thank Gov. Jindal for promptly signing this pro-patient, pro-pharmacy bill into law."

Mills pointed out that the new law will be a big benefit to patients in his state.

"Louisiana has many medically depressed areas with many Medicaid patients seeing multiple physicians. This law enables pharmacy to be at the forefront in helping to manage not only patients’ needs but also to help curtail costs especially in an environment where healthcare dollars are so precious," he commented.