PQA is convening a measure development technical expert panel (TEP) to support the development of a new health plan measure concept: Evidence of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy in Persons with Heart Failure. This measure will assess the percentage of individuals with prescription claims for guideline-directed medical therapies for the treatment of heart failure.
The TEP will include approximately 15 individuals from PQA member organizations with clinical, methodological or other expertise related to heart failure quality measurement. Up to three additional individuals representing patients, caregivers and patient advocates will be selected to participate. Nominations are due by Friday, March 27. Learn more below.
We also highlight our members’ perspectives on vaccinations, patient costs and comorbidities. If you have news you’d like for us to spotlight in an upcoming Five For Friday, send us an email!
— Noel Hunt, MPH, PQA Senior Manager, Performance Measurement
Addressing Vaccine Fatigue and Access
The American Pharmacists Association‘s Allison Hill discusses the ongoing importance of pharmacist-led vaccination efforts during the respiratory virus season, emphasizing that it is never too late for patients to benefit from influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines. She highlights strategies for addressing vaccine fatigue by focusing on patient-centered outcomes rather than statistics alone and the role of pharmacies in overcoming access and affordability barriers.
Evaluating Role of Cost in Treatment Decisions
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans who have utilized a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication report that the cost of the drugs significantly influenced their decision to either begin or persist with treatment, according to a Navitus Health Solutions Pulse Survey, which questioned 2000 US adults, rising out-of-pocket expenses and general affordability have emerged as the primary barriers to accessing these revolutionary therapies.
Managing Comorbid Depression and Diabetes
Diabetes and depression share a deeply intertwined, bidirectional relationship, with each condition increasing the risk and complicating the management of the other, according to an ASHP Midyear presentation by Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy‘s Kathleen Vest. Because these comorbidities frequently intersect with issues such as substance use disorder, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to intervene.
PQA is Launching a Heart Failure TEP
PQA identified heart failure as a priority area for measure development in 2025. A PQA Health Plan Measure Concept Advisory Group agreed to move the heart failure concept forward for public comment. Comments received further supported the recommendation to advance the heart failure measure concept for development.
PQA has drafted initial specifications, and the goal of the TEP will be to support full specification of the measure concept and advancement to the PQA Quality Metrics Expert Panel for review prior to testing and subsequent steps in PQA’s standard measure development process.
PQA members should visit the Member Resources Library to access the nomination form. A separate nomination form is available for patients, caregivers and patient advocates. A TEP Self-Nomination Information document provides additional details on the panel and what is required for nominations. Nominations are due by Friday, March 27. The first TEP meeting is April 22.
Your Next Engagement Opportunities
Network, Learn and Collaborate with PQA
- Join us for PQA’s next Quality Forum Webinar on April 2, 2026, 1-2 p.m. ET. This PQA Quality Forum Webinar will continue the conversation from the November 13 PQA Convenes: Artificial Intelligence in Medication Use Quality. Register here.
- Join us for the 2nd Quarter 2026 PQA Member Webinar on April 29, 1-2 p.m. ET. PQA Member Webinars share current quality measurement and research updates with members. Registration information can be found in the Member Resources Library.
- Save the date to join us at the 2026 PQA Annual Meeting, May 12-14, at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Md. PQA’s collaborative approach makes our meeting the preferred destination for quality improvement professionals. Learn more.