Clinical pharmacists' partnership with hospices drives an evolution of PBM services

Hospice and palliative care organizations provide end-of-life care to more than 1.5 million patients each year. Pharmacists have become an integral part of the hospice interdisciplinary team approach to patient-centered care. While the role of the pharmacist in the healthcare continuum continues to expand, specialized practice settings, such as hospice, continue to demand more clinical services from pharmacists. This article discusses 3 primary service domains that encompass the aspects of pharmacist involvement in hospice and palliative care: medication utilization, therapeutics, and clinical education. These domains highlight the enhanced partnership that can exist between hospice and palliative care organizations and pharmacy benefits management companies. (Formulary. 2012; 47:428-432.)