Since 1997, the PharmAssist program has helped Montanans manage medications for a variety of disorders.

Most recently, the program expanded to include medication management for patients with depression and bipolar disorder. with a shortage of psychiatrists in Montana, specially trained pharmacists are working with primary care physicians, to educate and monitor patients with depression and bipolar disorder.

A patient might not always be able to get in to see their doctor as often as needed in order to effectively manage their medications and symptoms.

That’s where the pharmacist comes in, tracking the patient, providing the patient with education and then communicating with the patient’s primary care physician.

Carla Cobb, a Psychiatric Pharmacist, says “not only do we look at the their medications for depression bipolar disorder, we look at all of their medications, the interactions of medications and we use a rating scale to try and get a measure of how they’re doing and then that’s provided back to the physician.”

Cobb says research shows this approach leads to a significant improvement in patient outcomes.

The PharmAssist program is state funded and is free to patients.

To qualify for the program you must be a Montana resident and be on 4 or more medications.

Right now there are 4 pharmacies statewide that participate in the program.

To find a pharmacy near you, call 281-8252.