What does a medication therapy management program typically aim to eliminate?

A medication therapy management program typically aims to eliminate polypharmacy and medication errors. Polypharmacy refers to the use of multiple medications by a patient, often leading to unintended drug interactions, increased side effects, and potential overdoses. By assessing all of a patient's medications, pharmacists can identify unnecessary drugs and optimize therapy, ensuring that each medication prescribed is necessary, appropriate, and effective for the patient's condition.

Medication errors encompass a wide range of mistakes that can occur during the prescribing, dispensing, and administration of medications. These errors may lead to adverse drug events, which can have serious consequences for patients. Through systematic review and management of a patient's medication regimen, these programs help enhance the safety and efficacy of medication use, thereby reducing both polypharmacy and the occurrence of medication errors.

The other options represent different aspects of patient care that are not the primary focus of a medication therapy management program. Patient participation is encouraged and considered essential for effective management, and side effects, while a concern, are managed through careful medication monitoring rather than outright elimination. Ongoing monitoring is a vital component of the program to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the therapy being administered.