Medication Management 101: Best Practices for LTC Pharmacies

Effective medication management is a must for LTC pharmacies—ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance and fostering strong partnerships with facility staff. That said, achieving this level of precision can be challenging without a clear strategy and the right tools. LTC pharmacies can streamline workflows and deliver superior care by integrating technology, automation, and best practices.​

7 Best Practices for Effective Medication Management in LTC Pharmacy

Implementing the following strategies can significantly improve medication management in LTC settings:​

1. Establish Accurate and Efficient Prescription Processing

Accurate, complete, and timely prescriptions are the foundation of effective medication management. Integrated EMAR systems improve communication between prescribers and pharmacies, while thorough medication reconciliation helps prevent duplications, omissions, and interactions. Automated order entry, verification, and tracking further accelerate workflows and reduce errors.

2. Prioritize Compliance with Evolving Regulatory Standards

Keeping up with regulatory requirements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and state agencies is essential for LTC pharmacies. Thorough documentation and accurate recordkeeping support smooth audits and inspections, while strict adherence to medication handling protocols—covering temperature control, packaging, and storage—helps maintain compliance. Training staff on controlled substance management is equally important to prevent diversion and ensure safe medication practices.

3. Improve Medication Safety and Reduce Errors

Implementing barcode scanning and verification systems enhances accuracy in medication dispensing. Medication therapy management (MTM) services help identify and resolve potential adverse interactions. Regular medication regimen reviews and evaluations by consulting pharmacists detect and address medication-related problems. Clear, accurate, facility-specific labeling ensures staff have the information they need to safely administer each dose.

4. Optimize Inventory Management to Avoid Gaps in Care

Effective inventory management plays a critical role in ensuring residents receive the medications they need without delays or disruptions in care. Real-time inventory tracking provides LTC pharmacies with a clearer picture of available stock, while automated refill alerts help prevent shortages. Careful oversight of controlled substances prevents overstocking and regulatory risk.

5. Enhance Communication Between Pharmacies and LTC Facilities

Regular check-ins and clear communication channels help pharmacies stay ahead of medication concerns, leading to better outcomes and smoother operations. Implementing secure messaging systems facilitates real-time information exchange. Comprehensive training ensures that facility staff administer medications correctly, reinforcing safety and compliance.

6. Offer Specialized Medication Services for LTC Residents

Some residents need more than standard tablets or capsules. Offering compounded medications, customized packaging (like multi-dose blister packs), and synchronized refill schedules helps ensure adherence while easing the burden on facility staff.

7. Invest in the Right LTC Pharmacy Software

Even with strong processes and communication in place, technology is often the missing piece that ties everything together. Advanced pharmacy software—like FrameworkLTC and the comprehensive suite of SoftWriters solutions—enhances medication management across every step of the process.

For instance, FrameworkVision facilitates collaboration and secure messaging, while FrameworkFlow offers mobile barcode scanning capabilities. FrameworkRxP offers several critical benefits for medication management, including:

• Web-based accessibility: Is accessible from various devices, ensuring secure and scalable operations.

• Configurable Interface: Tailors functionality and reporting to align with pharmacy needs and workflows.

• Centralized data monitoring: Provides visibility into individual practices via a centralized database, helping maintain clinical focus.

• Compliance support: Helps meet CMS guidelines around antibiotic stewardship, psychotropic use, and recommendation follow-ups.

Enhancing Medication Management with FrameworkRxP

Implementing best practices in medication management is essential for LTC pharmacies looking to enhance patient safety, maintain compliance, and strengthen facility partnerships. Plus, investing in the right technology—like FrameworkRxP—streamlines workflows, improves accuracy, and keeps pharmacies aligned with regulatory requirements.

Why Add FrameworkRxP to Your Tech Stack?

FrameworkRxP is purpose-built for consulting pharmacists in LTC, providing the tools needed to deliver accurate, consistent, and compliant medication regimen reviews (MRRs). Built-in clinical decision support helps pharmacists make informed recommendations aligned with regulatory guidelines and best practices.

With QuickRec rules, recommendations can be automatically proposed, improving both efficiency and consistency. The shared QuickRecs library ensures that dispensing and consulting pharmacists apply the same standards for prescriptions and categorization, creating a seamless connection between clinical and operational workflows.

The centralized database simplifies monitoring of individual practices, while the intuitive interface and clear labeling help maintain clinical focus. Highly configurable and scalable, FrameworkRxP adapts to pharmacy workflows and supports compliance with CMS guidelines, including antibiotic stewardship and psychotropic medication management.

Curious how FrameworkRxP can enhance your pharmacy’s medication management? Schedule a demo today to see it in action.