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Takeshima M, Yoshizawa K, Ogasawara M, Kudo M, Itoh Y, Ayabe N, Shibata N, Mishima K. Association between benzodiazepine anxiolytic polypharmacy and concomitant psychotropic medications in Japan: a retrospective cross-sectional study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1405049. [PMID: 39026522 PMCID: PMC11254787 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1405049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Guidelines for various psychiatric disorders recommend short-term use of benzodiazepine anxiolytic monotherapy in few cases. Contrarily, benzodiazepine anxiolytic polypharmacy (BAP) is not recommended in any case. However, BAP is often used in real world. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between BAP and concomitant use of psychotropic medications. Method This retrospective cross-sectional study used claims data from the Japan Medical Data Center. Medical information of health insurance subscribers treated with benzodiazepine anxiolytics in June 2019 was extracted. Prescription of two or more benzodiazepine anxiolytics was defined as BAP. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors associated with BAP, using age group, sex, type of subscriber, and number of concomitant hypnotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics (none, one, and two or more) as covariates. Result The eligible participants were 104,796 adults who were prescribed benzodiazepine anxiolytics. Among them, 12.6% were prescribed two or more drugs. Logistic regression analysis revealed that BAP was significantly associated with those who received hypnotic monotherapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.09, p=0.04), antidepressant monotherapy and polypharmacy (aOR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.51-1.63, p<0.001 and aOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.88-2.09, p<0.001, respectively), and antipsychotic monotherapy and polypharmacy (aOR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07-1.19, p<0.001 and aOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.30-1.54, p<0.001, respectively). Conversely, lower BAP was associated with those who received hypnotic polypharmacy (aOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.81-0.91, p<0.001). Discussion This study showed that the greater the number of concomitant antidepressants and antipsychotics, the greater the association with BAP. Since combination therapy with antidepressants or antipsychotics is generally not recommended, patients receiving combination therapy with these medications may be resistant to pharmacotherapy. Therefore, implementing the recommended non-pharmacological treatments may reduce BAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Takeshima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Yoshizawa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Masaya Ogasawara
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Mizuki Kudo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Yu Itoh
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Naoko Ayabe
- Department of Regional Studies and Humanities, Faculty of Education and Human Studies, Akita University, Akita, Japan
| | - Nana Shibata
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Kazuo Mishima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
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Koomen L, van de Meent I, Elferink F, Wilting I, Cahn W. Prevalence and predictors of inappropriate prescribing in outpatients with severe mental illness. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2023; 13:20451253231211576. [PMID: 38022837 PMCID: PMC10666674 DOI: 10.1177/20451253231211576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is frequent in geriatrics and results in an increased risk for adverse effects, morbidity, mortality and reduced quality of life. Research on PIP in psychiatry has mainly focused on elderly patients and inpatients. Objectives To determine the prevalence and the predictors of PIP of psychotropic medication in outpatients with severe mental illness. Design This study is part of the Muva study, a pragmatic open Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial of a physical activity intervention for patients (age ⩾ 16 years) with severe mental illness. Methods A structured medication interview, questionnaires on social functioning, quality of life and psychiatric symptoms, and BMI and waist circumference measurements were performed followed by a structured medication review. Patients were divided into groups: PIP versus no PIP. Between-group differences were calculated and a multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to examine predictors for PIP. A receiver operating characteristics analysis was performed to determine the area under the curve (AUC). Results In 75 patients, an average of 5.2 medications of which 2.5 psychotropic medication was used. 35 (46.7%) patients were identified with PIP. Unindicated long-term benzodiazepine use was the most frequently occurring PIP (34.1%). Predictors of PIP were female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 4.88, confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-20.58, p = 0.03], number of medications (OR = 1.41, CI = 1.07-1.86, p = 0.02) and lower social functioning (OR = 1.42, CI = 1.01-2.00, p = 0.05). The AUC was 0.88 for the combined prediction model. Conclusion The prevalence of PIP of psychotropic medication in outpatients with severe mental illness is high. It is therefore important to identify, and where possible, resolve PIP by frequently performing a medication review with specific attention to females, patients with a higher number of medications and patients with lower social functioning. Trial registration This trial was registered in The Netherlands Trial Register (NTR) as NTR NL9163 on 20 December 2020 (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL9163).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne Koomen
- UMC Utrecht, Psychiatry, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584CX, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Wiepke Cahn
- UMC Utrecht, Psychiatry, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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3
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Stuhec M, Hahn M, Taskova I, Bayraktar I, Fitzgerald I, Molitschnig L, Tatarević A, Lindner N, Agnoletto L, da Costa FA. Clinical pharmacy services in mental health in Europe: a commentary paper of the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy Special Interest Group on Mental Health. Int J Clin Pharm 2023; 45:1286-1292. [PMID: 37755642 PMCID: PMC10600282 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-023-01643-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
A large proportion of the world's disease burden is attributable to mental illnesses. Although effective interventions are available, many patients still have limited access to evidence-based treatments. Aside from access, treatment gaps, including inappropriate medication selection and monitoring, are also routinely recognised. Mental health clinical pharmacists can help address these gaps and enable patients to receive optimised pharmaceutical care, particularly appropriate medication selection and monitoring. The European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) Special Interest Group on Mental Health was established to improve standardised service provision in mental health settings across Europe. The Special Interest Group identified significant barriers (predominantly associated with reimbursement and position within the multidisciplinary team) to effective pharmaceutical care amongst those with mental illnesses. This commentary presents recommendations to address these gaps through improved mental health clinical pharmacy service provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Stuhec
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Maribor, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Ormoz Psychiatric Hospital, Ormoz, Slovenia.
| | - M Hahn
- Department of Mental Health, Varisano Hospital Frankfurt Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - I Taskova
- Psychiatric Hospital Bohnice, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - I Bayraktar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - I Fitzgerald
- Pharmacy Department, St Patrick's University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
- School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - L Molitschnig
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital of Elisabethians, Graz, Austria
| | | | - N Lindner
- Pharmacy Department, Vienna General Hospital-Medical University Campus, Vienna, Austria
| | - L Agnoletto
- Hospital Pharmacy, Rovigo Hospital, Rovigo, Italy
| | - F Alves da Costa
- Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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Wu J, Qiu L, Huang X, Zhou Q, Shen Y. Building a novel self-iterative clinical pharmacist intervention model in psychiatric hospital: Application and evaluation. Asian J Psychiatr 2023; 88:103748. [PMID: 37619417 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Clinical pharmacist intervention (CPI) in psychiatric hospital has not been widely developed in China. This study aimed to establish a real-time dynamic self-iterative CPI model in The Affiliated Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University and evaluated its effect. We focused on the running data in 2021 and 2022. The number of interventions, intervention types and intervention strategies were evaluated. In 2021 and 2022, a total of 443 interventions were reported. Among them, 271 (61.17 %) were identified during ward rounds by physicians, pharmacists and nurses. The proportion of CPI through ward rounds and information system gradually decreased while intervention through other ways increased. Meanwhile, there are various of CPI types including adverse drug reactions (26.86 %), therapeutic drug monitoring recommendations (13.32 %), drug usage and dose adjustment (10.61 %) and among them, adverse reactions are the focus of pharmacists' attention. Besides, the intervention strategies of pharmacists mainly concentrated in medication change (18.74 %), medication discontinuation (15.58 %) and dose reduction (12.19 %). In addition, the self-iterative function can continuously optimize the intervention level of clinical pharmacists. Overall, the CPI model established in this study effectively promote pharmacist intervention and accelerate pharmaceutical transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Wu
- The Affiliated Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Linghe Qiu
- The Affiliated Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- Wuxi Drug Safety Inspection and Testing Center, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214151, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- The Affiliated Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Yuan Shen
- The Affiliated Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China.
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Nguyen K, Subramanya V, Kulshreshtha A. Risk Factors Associated With Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Ambulatory Care Among the Elderly in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study. Drugs Real World Outcomes 2023; 10:357-362. [PMID: 37233904 PMCID: PMC10491561 DOI: 10.1007/s40801-023-00358-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Polypharmacy, defined as the concurrent use of multiple (commonly five or more) prescription drugs, is widely prevalent among the elderly. It is a preventable and significant contributor to morbidity and mortality among older people. It is linked to prescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), which have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of adverse drug interactions and reduced compliance, and in some cases result in prescribing cascades where more drugs are prescribed to manage adverse outcomes. This study aimed to examine risk factors associated with polypharmacy and PIMs among elderly patients in outpatient settings in the US. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the nationally representative National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, between 2010 and 2016. We extracted data from all people aged 65 years or older and evaluated factors associated with polypharmacy and PIMs using multivariable logistic regression. Weights were applied to obtain national estimates. RESULTS During the study period, there were a total of 81,295 ambulatory visits among adults 65 years and older. Being a woman (compared with a man) was more likely to be associated with greater prevalence of PIMs (OR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.23-1.40), and living in rural areas were more likely to be associated with both polypharmacy (OR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.07-1.23) and PIMs (OR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.29), compared with living in urban areas. Older age was positively associated with polypharmacy (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.06-1.10), but negatively associated with PIMs (OR: 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests age, being a woman, and living in rural areas are risk factors for both polypharmacy and PIMs usage. Aside from primary care providers' roles in managing polypharmacy, collaborative care with other specialty providers, such as clinical pharmacists, should also be considered as an approach to improving the quality of prescribing in geriatric patients. Future research should further explore reasons for polypharmacy and focus on deprescribing and quality improvement initiatives in primary care to lower polypharmacy among the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khue Nguyen
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 4500 North Shallowford Rd., Suite 134, Atlanta, GA, 30338, USA
| | - Vinita Subramanya
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 4500 North Shallowford Rd., Suite 134, Atlanta, GA, 30338, USA
| | - Ambar Kulshreshtha
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 4500 North Shallowford Rd., Suite 134, Atlanta, GA, 30338, USA.
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Mangin D, Lamarche L, Templeton JA, Salerno J, Siu H, Trimble J, Ali A, Varughese J, Page A, Etherton-Beer C. Theoretical Underpinnings of a Model to Reduce Polypharmacy and Its Negative Health Effects: Introducing the Team Approach to Polypharmacy Evaluation and Reduction (TAPER). Drugs Aging 2023; 40:857-868. [PMID: 37603255 PMCID: PMC10450010 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01055-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polypharmacy, particularly among older adults, is gaining recognition as an important risk to health. The harmful effects on health arise from disease-drug and drug-drug interactions, the cumulative burden of side effects from multiple medications and the burden to the patient. Single-disease clinical guidelines fail to consider the complex reality of optimising treatments for patients with multiple morbidities and medications. Efforts have been made to develop and implement interventions to reduce the risk of harmful effects, with some promising results. However, the theoretical basis (or pre-clinical work) that informed the development of these efforts, although likely undertaken, is unclear, difficult to find or inadequately described in publications. It is critical in interpreting effects and achieving effectiveness to understand the theoretical basis for such interventions. OBJECTIVE Our objective is to outline the theoretical underpinnings of the development of a new polypharmacy intervention: the Team Approach to Polypharmacy Evaluation and Reduction (TAPER). METHODS We examined deprescribing barriers at patient, provider, and system levels and mapped them to the chronic care model to understand the behavioural change requirements for a model to address polypharmacy. RESULTS Using the chronic care model framework for understanding the barriers, we developed a model for addressing polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS We discuss how TAPER maps to address the specific patient-level, provider-level, and system-level barriers to deprescribing and aligns with three commonly used models and frameworks in medicine (the chronic care model, minimally disruptive medicine, the cumulative complexity model). We also describe how TAPER maps onto primary care principles, ultimately providing a description of the development of TAPER and a conceptualisation of the potential mechanisms by which TAPER reduces polypharmacy and its associated harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dee Mangin
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1H6, Canada.
- Department of General Practice, University of Otago, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
| | - Larkin Lamarche
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Jeffrey A Templeton
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1H6, Canada
| | - Jennifer Salerno
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1H6, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Henry Siu
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1H6, Canada
| | - Johanna Trimble
- Patient Voices Network of BC, 201-750 Pender Street West, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2T8, Canada
| | - Abbas Ali
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1H6, Canada
| | - Jobin Varughese
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1H6, Canada
| | - Amy Page
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Christopher Etherton-Beer
- Western Australia Centre for Health and Aging, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
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Urbańczyk K, Guntschnig S, Antoniadis V, Falamic S, Kovacevic T, Kurczewska-Michalak M, Miljković B, Olearova A, Sviestina I, Szucs A, Tachkov K, Tiszai Z, Volmer D, Wiela-Hojeńska A, Fialova D, Vlcek J, Stuhec M, Hogg A, Scott M, Stewart D, Mair A, Ravera S, Lery FX, Kardas P. Recommendations for wider adoption of clinical pharmacy in Central and Eastern Europe in order to optimise pharmacotherapy and improve patient outcomes. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1244151. [PMID: 37601045 PMCID: PMC10433912 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1244151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical pharmacy as an area of practice, education and research started developing around the 1960s when pharmacists across the globe gradually identified the need to focus more on ensuring the appropriate use of medicines to improve patient outcomes rather than being engaged in manufacturing and supply. Since that time numerous studies have shown the positive impact of clinical pharmacy services (CPS). The need for wider adoption of CPS worldwide becomes urgent, as the global population ages, and the prevalence of polypharmacy as well as shortage of healthcare professionals is rising. At the same time, there is great pressure to provide both high-quality and cost-effective health services. All these challenges urgently require the adoption of a new paradigm of healthcare system architecture. One of the most appropriate answers to these challenges is to increase the utilization of the potential of highly educated and skilled professionals widely available in these countries, i.e., pharmacists, who are well positioned to prevent and manage drug-related problems together with ensuring safe and effective use of medications with further care relating to medication adherence. Unfortunately, CPS are still underdeveloped and underutilized in some parts of Europe, namely, in most of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. This paper reviews current situation of CPS development in CEE countries and the prospects for the future of CPS in that region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Urbańczyk
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
- Regional Specialist Hospital in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Sonja Guntschnig
- Tauernklinikum Zell am See, Zell am See, Austria
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland
| | | | - Slaven Falamic
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Tijana Kovacevic
- Pharmacy Department, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Branislava Miljković
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Anna Olearova
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bratislava—Hospital Ruzinov, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Inese Sviestina
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
- Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | - Attila Szucs
- Pharmacy Department, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Konstantin Tachkov
- Department of Organization and Economy of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Zita Tiszai
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Daisy Volmer
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anna Wiela-Hojeńska
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Daniela Fialova
- Department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
- Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, First Faculty of Medicine in Prague, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiri Vlcek
- Department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pharmacy, Teaching Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Matej Stuhec
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Maribor, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Ormoz Psychiatric Hospital, Ormoz, Slovenia
| | - Anita Hogg
- Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, Antrim Hospital, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Scott
- Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, Antrim Hospital, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Derek Stewart
- College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- European Society of Clinical Pharmacy, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alpana Mair
- Effective Prescribing and Therapeutics, Health and Social Care Directorate, Scottish Government, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Ravera
- European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - François-Xavier Lery
- European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - Przemysław Kardas
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Farooq J, Sana M, Chetana P, Almuqbil M, Prabhakar Bhat N, Sultana R, Khaiser U, Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq S, Almalki MEM, Mohammed sawadi Khormi A, Ahmad Albraiki S, Almadani ME. Polypharmacy in chronic liver disease patients: Implications for disease severity, drug-drug interaction, and quality of life. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:101668. [PMID: 37576859 PMCID: PMC10415215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple prescriptions for different medications may be needed for chronic conditions, increasing the risk of polypharmacy. The WHO defined polypharmacy as "the administration of many drugs at the same time or the administration of an excessive number of drugs". The primary goal of this study was to evaluate polypharmacy in patients with chronic liver disease and to identify potential drug-drug interactions associated with it. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore, Karnataka, for six months, from November 2020 to April 2021. The study involved 118 patients with chronic liver disease from various age groups. Data was gathered by analyzing patients' medical records kept on the ward and interviewing them individually. In admission and discharge prescriptions, polypharmacy was examined. Online interaction checkers from Drugs.com and Medscape were used to interpret potential drug-drug interactions. The SF-36 and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire were used to measure the quality of life. The data obtained were analyzed statistically to determine the significant correlation. The number of prescribed drugs was significantly correlated (P = 0.018) with the severity of liver disease in Child-Pugh categories B and C. Additionally, moderate polypharmacy reduced quality of life (P < 0.05), and the physical health category was significantly associated with disease severity (P < 0.05). Drug-drug interactions were found in 108 out of the 118 examined prescriptions, totaling 586 interactions in the admission list and 405 interactions in the discharge list. If the potentially serious main drug interaction identified in this study is not well monitored, it could lead to a serious, potentially fatal health condition. Despite being advised, safety is not always guaranteed by liver enzyme monitoring. Therefore, healthcare providers must take additional precautions to avoid inappropriate prescribing, minimize side effects, and ensure drug safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juveriya Farooq
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Shree Devi College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru, 574142, Karnataka, India
- Department of pharmacology, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University, Deralakatte, 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - M.M. Sana
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Shree Devi College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru, 574142, Karnataka, India
| | - P.M. Chetana
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Shree Devi College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru, 574142, Karnataka, India
| | - Mansour Almuqbil
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nagapati Prabhakar Bhat
- Department of pharmacology, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University, Deralakatte, 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Rokeya Sultana
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University, Deralakatte, 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - UmaimaFarheen Khaiser
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University, Deralakatte, 575018, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Amro Mohammed sawadi Khormi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Dariyah, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud University Medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Moneer E. Almadani
- Department of clinical medicine, College of medicine, AlMaarefa University, Dariyah, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
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9
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Tian F, Chen Z, Wu B. Development and validation of a nomogram to predict the risk of potentially inappropriate medication use in older lung cancer outpatients with multimorbidity. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2023; 22:725-732. [PMID: 36803141 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2023.2183191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At present, there is no predictive model that can predict the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older lung cancer outpatients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We measured PIM by the 2019 Beers criteria. Significant factors were identified to develop the nomogram using logistic regression. We validated the nomogram internally and externally in two cohorts. The discrimination, calibration, and clinical practicability of the nomogram were verified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. RESULTS A total of 3300 older lung cancer outpatients were divided into a training cohort (n = 1718) and two validation cohorts, including an internal validation cohort (n = 739) and an external validation cohort (n = 843). A nomogram for predicting PIM use patients was developed using six significant factors. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.835 in the training cohort and 0.810 and 0.826 in the internal validation and external validation cohorts, respectively. The Hosmer‒Lemeshow test yielded P = 0.180, 0.779 and 0.069, respectively. The nomogram demonstrated a high net benefit in DCA. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram could be a convenient, intuitive, and personalized clinical tool for assessing the risk of PIM in older lung cancer outpatients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhaoyan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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10
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Clinical pharmacy services are reimbursed in Germany: challenges of real world implementation remain. Int J Clin Pharm 2023; 45:245-249. [PMID: 36394784 PMCID: PMC9938802 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-022-01492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, community pharmacy has experienced major changes as the role of pharmacists is evolving from a product to a service and a patient focus. As part of this change, new and innovative clinical pharmacy services aimed at improving medicines use and patient outcomes have been designed, both nationally and internationally. Since June 2022, five services are reimbursed by all statutory health insurance funds and private insurance companies in Germany: medication review for patients with polymedication; blood pressure control in hypertension; assuring proper inhalation techniques for patients receiving a new device or a device change; medication review including a follow-up for patients taking oral anticancer drugs or immunosuppressants post-transplantation. Beyond reimbursement, the upscaling and sustainable provision of these professional services are now the main challenges. Implementation research will provide important information for the further development of pharmaceutical care programs.
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11
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Zhang Y, Chen Z, Tian F. Potentially inappropriate medications in older Chinese outpatients based on the Beers criteria and Chinese criteria. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:991087. [PMID: 36249753 PMCID: PMC9561887 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.991087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Polypharmacy increases the prevalence of potentially inappropriate drugs potentially inappropriate medications among older persons, lowering their quality of life. PIMs use can lead to higher mortality in older patients. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of PIMs in older Chinese outpatients according to the Beers criteria and the Chinese criteria and to analyze the risk factors. Second, we describe the differences between the two criteria, focusing on the inappropriate prescription of drugs in older outpatients.Methods: In Chengdu, Southwest China, a cross-sectional study was undertaken using electronic medical data from 9 general hospitals s. Outpatients above the age of 60 who were treated in the Geriatrics Center of these medical institutions were included. The 2019 Beers criteria and the 2017 Chinese criteria were used to evaluate the PIM status of older outpatients, and binary logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors for PIMs.Results: There were 44,458 prescriptions from 2016 to 2018. The prevalence of PIMs among older outpatients was 30.05% (according to the Beers criteria) and 35.38% (according to the Chinese criteria), with statistical difference. Estazolam, hydrochlorothiazide and alprazolam were the top three PIMs in the Beers criteria, while the top three PIMs in the Chinese criteria were clopidogrel, estazolam and insulin. The prevalence of PIMs was associated with age, the number of diseases and the number of drugs. PIMs were shown to be more common in patients aged 70 and above, with more than 2 kinds of diseases and more than 4 kinds of drugs.Conclusion: PIMs were shown to be common among older outpatients in China, according to this study. The detection rate of the Chinese criteria was higher than that of the Beers criteria.
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Rodrigues AR, Teixeira-Lemos E, Mascarenhas-Melo F, Lemos LP, Bell V. Pharmacist Intervention in Portuguese Older Adult Care. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:1833. [PMID: 36292280 PMCID: PMC9602367 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10101833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthy ageing has become one of the most significant challenges in a society with an increasing life expectancy. Older adults have a greater prevalence of chronic disease, with the need for multiple medications to appropriately control these issues. In addition to their health concerns, ageing individuals are prone to loneliness, dependence, and economic issues, which may affect their quality of life. Governments and health professionals worldwide have developed various strategies to promote active and healthy ageing to improve the quality of life of older adults. Pharmacists are highly qualified health professionals, easily accessible to the population, thus playing a pivotal role in medication management. Their proximity to the patient puts them in a unique position to provide education and training to improve therapeutic adherence and identify medication-related problems. This paper aims to address the importance of Portuguese community pharmacists in the medication management of older adults, emphasising their intervention in health promotion, patient education, medication-related problems, deprescription, dose administration aids, and medication review and reconciliation. We also discuss home delivery services and medication management in long-term care facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Social Pharmacy and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Edite Teixeira-Lemos
- CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
| | - Filipa Mascarenhas-Melo
- Drug Development and Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pedro Lemos
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Victoria Bell
- Laboratory of Social Pharmacy and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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Priority setting and cross-country learning: the relevance of TO-REACH for primary care. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2022; 23:e40. [PMID: 35866473 PMCID: PMC9309752 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423622000287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To inform the primary care community about priorities for research in primary care as came up from the European project TO-REACH and to discuss transferability of service and policy innovations between countries. Background: TO-REACH stands for Transfer of Organizational innovations for Resilient, Effective, equitable, Accessible, sustainable and Comprehensive Health services and systems. This EU-funded project has put health systems and services research higher on the European agenda and has led to the current development of a European ‘Partnership Transforming Health and Care Systems’. Methods: To identify research priorities, both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Policy documents and strategic roadmaps were searched, and priorities were mapped. Stakeholders were involved through national roundtable consultations and online consultations. Regarding transferability, we carried out a review of the literature, guided by a conceptual framework, and using a snowballing approach. Findings: Primary care emerged as an important priority from the inventory, as are areas that are conducive to strengthening primary care, such as workforce policies. The large variation in service organisation and policy around primary care in Europe is a huge potential for cross-country learning. However, the simple transfer of primary care service and policy arrangements from one health system to another has a big chance to fail, unless known conditions for successful transfer are taken into account and gaps in our knowledge about transfer are resolved.
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Tian F, Chen Z, Wu J. Prevalence of Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medications Use in Elderly Chinese Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:862561. [PMID: 35795561 PMCID: PMC9251439 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.862561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use among elderly Chinese patients have not yet been investigated by systematic review and meta-analysis. The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence of polypharmacy and PIM use and the risk factors associated with PIM use in elderly Chinese patients. Methods: Databases including PubMed, EMBase, and Web of Science were searched to collect studies which used Chinese criteria, Beers criteria, or STOPP criteria to evaluate the PIM status of elderly Chinese patients from inception to August 2021 (PROSPERO Code No: CRD42021262821). Observational studies reporting the prevalence of polypharmacy and PIM use in elderly Chinese patients were meta-analyzed. The pooled prevalence and risk ratio (RR) were calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 8 articles involving 4,558,786 patients were included. The overall prevalence of polypharmacy (concomitant use of more than 5 medicines) and PIM use pooled by meta-analysis in Chinese older patients was 48% (95% CI: 0.17, 0.79, p = 0.003) (inpatients 73%, outpatients 23%) and 39% (95% CI: 0.25, 0.54, p < 0.001) (inpatients 50%, outpatients 29%), respectively. Polypharmacy (RR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.64) was significantly associated with PIM use. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated a high prevalence of polypharmacy and PIM use among elderly patients in China. Affected by the quantity and quality of the included studies, the aforementioned conclusions need to be confirmed by large samples and high-quality studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhaoyan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinhui Wu
- Department of Geriatrics. National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jinhui Wu,
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Amundson CJ, Knight R, Ybarra GM, Turgeon J, Bingham JM. Mitigating the Risk of Adverse Effects Related to Augmentation Therapy for Resistant Major Depressive Disorder: A Case Report. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58030438. [PMID: 35334614 PMCID: PMC8953614 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58030438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polypharmacy of psychotropic medications predisposes older adults to adverse drug events (ADEs). One contributing factor is inhibition of metabolic pathways between substrates (competitive inhibition) or between substrates and inhibitors of the same cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate observed sedation and difficulty concentrating from augmentation therapy for resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) and to highlight the value of clinical tools to identify opportunities for treatment optimization to reduce ADEs. The pharmacist identified significant medication burden and competitive inhibition of drug metabolism in the CYP450 system during a telehealth medication therapy management consultation with a 69-year-old male. The pharmacist recommended clinical monitoring and communicated concerns about medication-induced sedation, difficulty concentrating, and other medication-related problems (MRP) to providers. Several recommendations were implemented which helped improved patient’s outcomes. Individualizing MDD pharmacotherapy based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions and geriatric dosage considerations may lead to better outcomes and tolerability among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin J. Amundson
- Ken R. Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (C.J.A.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Robert Knight
- Tabula Rasa HealthCare, MedWiseRx, 100 N Stone Ave Suite 109-222, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA; (R.K.); (G.M.Y.)
| | - Georgina M. Ybarra
- Tabula Rasa HealthCare, MedWiseRx, 100 N Stone Ave Suite 109-222, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA; (R.K.); (G.M.Y.)
| | - Jacques Turgeon
- Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Precision Pharmacotherapy Research & Development Institute, 13485 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-856-938-8793
| | - Jennifer M. Bingham
- Ken R. Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (C.J.A.); (J.M.B.)
- Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Office of Translational Research & Residency Programs, 228 Strawbridge Dr, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA
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Brouwer JMJL, Risselada AJ, de Wit M, Lubberts J, Westerhuis H, Doornbos B, Mulder H. Lithium surveillance by community pharmacists and physicians in ambulatory patients: a retrospective cohort study. Int J Clin Pharm 2022; 44:975-984. [PMID: 35831730 PMCID: PMC9393139 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-022-01420-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shared care agreements between clinical pharmacists and physicians can improve suboptimal lithium monitoring in in- and outpatient settings. However, it is unknown whether incorporating community pharmacists in such agreements can also improve lithium monitoring in an outpatient setting. AIM To assess the necessity for a shared care agreement for lithium monitoring in our region by investigating: intervention rates by community pharmacists and whether those are sufficient; lithium monitoring by physicians in ambulatory patients; the extent of laboratory parameter exchange to community pharmacists. METHOD Patient files of lithium users were surveyed in a retrospective cohort study among 21 community pharmacies in the Northern Netherlands. Outcome was the intervention rate by community pharmacists and whether those were deemed sufficient by an expert panel. Additionally, we investigated both the percentages of patients monitored according to current guidelines and of laboratory parameters exchanged to community pharmacists. RESULTS 129 patients were included. Interventions were performed in 64.4% (n = 29), 20.8% (n = 5), and 25.0% (n = 1) of initiations, discontinuations, and dosage alterations of drugs interacting with lithium, respectively. The expert panel deemed 40.0% (n = 14) of these interventions as "insufficient". Physicians monitored 40.3% (n = 52) of the patients according to current guidelines for lithium serum levels and kidney functions combined. Approximately half of the requested laboratory parameters were available to the community pharmacist. CONCLUSION Intervention rates by community pharmacists and lithium monitoring by physicians can be improved. Therefore, a shared care agreement between community pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, and physicians is needed to improve lithium monitoring in ambulatory patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurriaan M. J. L. Brouwer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Wilhelmina Hospital Assen, Mailbox: 30.001, 9400 RA Assen, The Netherlands ,grid.468637.80000 0004 0465 6592GGZ Drenthe Mental Health Services Drenthe, Assen, The Netherlands ,grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Psychiatry, Research School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arne J. Risselada
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Wilhelmina Hospital Assen, Mailbox: 30.001, 9400 RA Assen, The Netherlands
| | - Marinka de Wit
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Pharmacotherapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janniek Lubberts
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Pharmacotherapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henrieke Westerhuis
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Pharmacotherapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bennard Doornbos
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Lentis Research, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Mulder
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Wilhelmina Hospital Assen, Mailbox: 30.001, 9400 RA, Assen, The Netherlands. .,Dutch Academic Network of Northern Pharmacies (ANNA), Groningen, The Netherlands.
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A pharmacist-led intervention to improve the management of opioids in a general practice: a qualitative evaluation of participant interviews. Int J Clin Pharm 2021; 44:235-246. [PMID: 34751891 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-021-01340-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Opioid prescribing has escalated, particularly long-term in chronic noncancer pain. Innovative models of care have been recommended to augment regulatory and harm-minimisation strategies and to review the safety and benefits of opioids for the individual patient. Medication stewardship and pharmacist integration are evolving approaches for general practice. Aim To explore enablers, barriers, and outcomes of a pharmacist-led intervention to improve opioid management in general practice, from the perspectives of general practitioners (GPs) and practice personnel. Method The study was part of a mixed-methods investigation into a general practice pharmacist pilot. Qualitative data relevant to opioids were analysed. Data from 13 semi-structured interviews were coded, analysed iteratively and thematically, and interpreted conceptually through the framework of Opioid Stewardship fundamentals proposed by the National Quality Forum. Results Seven themes and 14 subthemes aligned with stewardship fundamentals. Participants considered organisational policy, supported by leadership and education, fostered collaboration and consistency and improved practice safety. Patient engagement with individualised resources, 'agreements' and 'having the conversation' with the pharmacist enabled person-centred opioid review and weaning. GPs reported greater accountability and reflection in their practices, in the broader context of opioid prescribing and dilemmas in managing patients transitioning through care. Receiving feedback on practice deprescribing outcomes encouraged participants' ongoing commitment. Patient communication was deemed an early barrier; however, learnings were applied when transferring the model to other high-risk medicines. Conclusion Improved opioid management was enabled through implementing pharmacist-led coordinated stewardship. The findings offer a practical application of guideline advice to individualise opioid deprescribing.
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