Pharmacists can improve medication management in the vulnerable population of foster care youth

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this commentary is to recommend that pharmacists take a larger role in medication management for the vulnerable patient population of youth in foster care. To support this objective, it is important to understand (1) what foster care is, (2) the vulnerabilities of youth in foster care, (3) medication use among youth in foster care, and (4) how the foster care system complicates medication management.

Summary: Foster care youth are not yet considered a vulnerable patient population from the pharmacy perspective, despite a high rate of prescriptions and medications without proper indication. By virtue of being removed from their homes, foster youth experience trauma and are placed into a system that can be inconsistent, lead to further disruption, and create gaps in their medical care and management. Despite federal mandates, foster youth medication use remains drastically higher than that of the general population. Pharmacists' skills in medication therapy management, medication reconciliation, patient and caregiver education, and interprofessional collaboration can and should be used to reduce overmedication in the foster care population.

Conclusion: Pharmacists can provide valuable therapeutic services and bring increased attention to the medication needs of foster care patients by assuming a more active role as a member of their care team.