Effects of a medication assistance program with medication therapy management on the health of renal transplant recipients

A pharmacist-led intervention to improve kidney transplant recipient outcomes and identify patients at risk of highly variable trough tacrolimus levels: a cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Given the positive impact of appropriate medication management on graft outcome and therefore of patient survival and graft function, the pharmacist's role in the kidney transplantation team has evolved over recent decades. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether pharmacist-led intervention after kidney transplantation is associated with a lower graft rejection rate and intra-patient variation in tacrolimus trough concentrations (Cmin). The study's secondary objective was to develop a questionnaire to identify patients at risk for highly variable Cmin.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed kidney transplant recipients at Rennes University Hospital (France) between January 2013 and December 2020. Patients who received pharmacist-led education (intervention group, n=139) were compared with patients who did not (control group, n=131), according to graft survival at 1 year post-transplant, coefficient of variation (%CV) for the tacrolimus Cmin, age, sex, length of hospital stay post-transplantation, body mass index, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. In the intervention group, a questionnaire assessing patient knowledge was introduced to compare scores with the %CV.

RESULTS

In the intervention group, 1 year post-transplant graft survival was higher (95.7% vs 88.5%, p=0.0289) and patients had fewer variabilities in Cmin. The %CV was correlated with questionnaire scores (r=-0.9758, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacist-led interventions may have contributed to improved graft survival and patient management of immunosuppressants. Because %CV correlates with the patient questionnaire score, its introduction could be useful in identifying kidney transplant patients who would benefit most from a pharmacist-led patient education.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Involving Pharmacist for Medication Therapy Management in a Heart Transplant Clinic

BACKGROUND

Drug-related problems (DRPs) are common in recipients of solid organ transplants. Pharmacist-led medication therapy management (MTM) has cost benefits in kidney and liver transplants; however, whether MTM is also beneficial in heart transplants remains unclear. This study explored the cost benefits of involving pharmacists in the heart transplant clinic.

METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated DRPs for 1 year after implementation of pharmacist-led MTM in a heart transplant clinic. The DRPs were compared between patients receiving transplantation for <1 and >1 year. The risk matrix method was used to assess each DRP in terms of the estimated probability and severity of consequent adverse drug events (ADEs). For cost analysis, both estimated cost savings and avoidance were calculated.

RESULTS

During the 1-year MTM, 372 DRPs were identified by the pharmacist, among which 169 (45%) and 203 (55%) were from patients at <1-year and ≥1-year post-transplant periods, respectively. The 2 post-transplant periods (<1 year and ≥1 year) exhibited significant differences in the distribution of the dosage or frequency problems (30% vs 18%, P = .005) and the suggestion of more appropriate medication (4% vs 10%, P = .024). In all, 92 (29%) DRPs had an ADE probability of >10%; and 63 (17%) DRPs were estimated to cause ADEs with moderate severity or higher. The estimated cost savings and cost avoidance were US $4902 and US $4519, which equaled a cost-benefit ratio of 2.39.

CONCLUSION

Integration of pharmacists into heart transplant clinics could help address DRPs and may have cost benefits.

Psychosocial Evaluation of Candidates for Solid Organ Transplantation

Transplant candidates should undergo an assessment of their mental health, social support, lifestyle, and behaviors. The primary aims of this "psychosocial evaluation" are to ensure that transplantation is of benefit to life expectancy and quality of life, and to allow optimization of the candidate and transplant outcomes. The content of psychosocial evaluations is informed by evidence regarding pretransplant psychosocial predictors of transplant outcomes. This review summarizes the current literature on pretransplant psychosocial predictors of transplant outcomes across differing solid organ transplants and discusses the limitations of existing research. Pretransplant depression, substance misuse, and nonadherence are associated with poorer posttransplant outcomes. Depression, smoking, and high levels of prescription opioid use are associated with reduced posttransplant survival. Pretransplant nonadherence is associated with posttransplant rejection, and nonadherence may mediate the effects of other psychosocial variables such as substance misuse. There is evidence to suggest that social support is associated with likelihood of substance misuse relapse after transplantation, but there is a lack of consistent evidence for an association between social support and posttransplant adherence, rejection, or survival across all organ transplant types. Psychosocial evaluations should be undertaken by a trained individual and should comprise multiple consultations with the transplant candidate, family members, and healthcare professionals. Tools exist that can be useful for guiding and standardizing assessment, but research is needed to determine how well scores predict posttransplant outcomes. Few studies have evaluated interventions designed to improve psychosocial functioning specifically pretransplant. We highlight the challenges of carrying out such research and make recommendations regarding future work.

A comparison of medication access services at 340B and non-340B hospitals

BACKGROUND

For patients that face barriers to filling their prescriptions, the availability of medication access services at their site of care can mean the difference between receiving prescribed drug therapy, and undue interruptions in care. Hospitals often provide medication access services that are not reimbursed by payers; however, they can be challenging to sustain. The 340B Drug Pricing Program allows covered entities to generate savings through discounted pricing for certain outpatient medications, which can then be used to provide more comprehensive services, including medication access services.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize medication access services provided at hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program compared to hospitals that do not participate in the 340B Program.

METHODS

Primary questionnaire response data was collected from a national sample of Directors of Pharmacy at non-federal acute care hospitals from March 2019 to May 2019. American Hospital Association Data Viewer was used to collect demographic information on 1,531 hospitals. Hospitals were excluded if they had 199 beds or fewer, did not have a unique Medicare provider ID, were federally owned, were located outside the continental U.S., or were non-acute care hospitals that served niche patient populations. This study utilized a proportional stratified sampling strategy to administer an electronic questionnaire to 340B and non-340B hospitals to assess the number and type of medication access service offerings. A final randomized sample of 500 hospitals were administered the questionnaire, and data was collected through recorded responses in Qualtrics software.

RESULTS

340B hospitals provided a significantly higher average number of medication access services compared to non-340B hospitals (6.20 vs. 3.91, p = 0.0001), adjusted for differences in hospital size and ownership type. For all nine medication access services that were assessed, a higher percentage of 340B hospitals reported providing the service compared to non-340B hospitals. This difference was statistically significant for six out of nine programs assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

340B hospitals provided more medication access services, on average, than comparably sized non-340B hospitals, suggesting that hospitals participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program may be better positioned to create and administer programs that support medication access services.

Access to medications among adults with type 2 diabetes using pharmacy- or clinic-based medication assistance programs: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the literature regarding access to, and utilization of medication for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and pre-post improvements in diabetes outcomes for adults enrolled in clinic- or pharmacy-based medication assistance programs.

DATA SOURCES

The databases searched were PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, Ovid HealthSTAR, PapersFirst, and OpenGrey.

STUDY SELECTION

Databases were searched from the beginning of each database to Feburary 29, 2020. Articles were included if (1) the population of interest was adults 18 years of age or older with a T2D diagnosis, (2) the study addressed access to medication for diabetes patients in a clinic- or pharmacy-based setting, and (3) the study was conducted in the United States.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extracted from the selected studies included location of study, patient inclusion criteria, sample size, medication assistance program description, and reported diabetes medication access and medication related adherence outcomes.

RESULTS

Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria for the study. The mean reduction in glycated hemoglobin level following the use of medication assistance programs ranged from 0.45 to 0.8. Across studies, the mean number of antihyperglycemic medications used by patients in medication assistance programs ranged from 1 to 1.9. Medication adherence was reported at 45% across studies that reported adherence measures.

CONCLUSION

Among the 11 studies identified that assessed access to medication for adults with T2D using clinic- or pharmacy-based medication assistance programs, study findings indicated that many of these programs showed some positive changes in medication access and diabetes-related outcomes.

Universal drug coverage and income-related disparities in glycaemic control

AIMS

To examine whether income-related disparities in glycaemic control decline after the age of 65 years, when publicly funded universal drug insurance is acquired in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using linked administrative healthcare databases. Adults with diabetes, aged 40-89 years, with available HbA_1c data were included (N = 716 297). Income was based on median neighbourhood household income. Multiple linear regression was used to test for effect modification of age ≥65 years on the relationship between income and HbA_1c .

RESULTS

There was a significant inverse association between income and HbA_1c level. After adjusting for baseline factors, the effect of income on HbA_1c level was significantly greater for individuals aged <65 years (mean difference HbA_1c for lowest vs highest income group +2.5 mmol/mol, 95% CI +2.3 to +2.7 [+0.23%, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.24]) than for those aged ≥65 years (+1.2 mmol/mol, 95% CI +1.0 to +1.3 [+0.11%, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.12]; P < 0.0001 for interaction).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite universal access to healthcare, people with diabetes with lower incomes had significantly worse glycaemic control compared with their counterparts on higher incomes. However, income gradients in glycaemic control were markedly reduced after the age of 65 years, possibly as a result of access to prescription drug coverage.

Medication non-adherence after kidney transplantation: A critical appraisal and systematic review

Medication non-adherence is one of the most important causes for shortened graft survival subsequently leading to a reduction in kidney graft survival results. Our aim was to provide an overview of its prevalence, risk factors, diagnostic methods and interventions to improve adherence in kidney transplant recipients. Therefore, we systematically searched the databases PubMed, COCHRANE Library, Web of Science and EMBASE for studies addressing "medication adherence", "compliance", "adherence", "kidney transplantation" and "life style factors". We identified 96 studies that satisfied our inclusion criteria. A problematic lack of a uniformly accepted definition for non-adherence was found, consequently leading to a wide range in non-adherence prevalence (36-55%). Using one uniformly accepted non-adherence definition should therefore be encouraged. A wide range in diagnostic methods makes it difficult to accurately detect non-adherence. Heterogeneous results of intervention studies make it difficult to select the best adherence enhancing method, challenging the battle against medication non-adherence. Literature suggests a combination of personalized interventions, based on patient-specific non-adherent behavior, to be most successful in improvement of adherence. High quality diagnostic methods and multidisciplinary, personalized interventions with focus on relevant clinical outcome are essential in overcoming medication non-adherence in kidney transplant recipients.

Assessment and Treatment of Nonadherence in Transplant Recipients

Stable intake of an immunosuppressant medication regimen is essential for posttransplant survival in the vast majority of cases. And yet, many patients are nonadherent (do not take their medications as prescribed), and suffer consequences ranging from rejection to morbidity and mortality. We review the evidence related to monitoring of adherence to medications, and intervention strategies. Our aim is to provide a baseline from which readers may approach behavioral aspects of posttransplant care. This review may also help readers in designing clinical programs for routine monitoring of adherence, and inform the choice of intervention when adherence falls below a certain threshold.

Roles and Impacts of the Transplant Pharmacist: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Pharmacists have been involved in the care of transplant recipients for several decades, and a growing body of literature shows the beneficial effects of clinical pharmacist care on important outcomes for these patients.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to describe the roles and impacts of pharmacists in a solid organ transplant setting. The secondary objective was to describe and rate the pharmacists' interventions.

DATA SOURCES

Three databases-PubMed, Embase, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews-were searched from January 1, 1990, to June 16, 2015.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

All studies addressing the roles of pharmacists and the impacts of clinical pharmacy services on the care of solid organ transplant recipients were considered. Only studies providing a statistical analysis were included. Design, setting, sample size, patient characteristics, pharmacists' interventions, study bias, and outcomes were extracted for analysis.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Four randomized controlled trials, 4 cohort studies, 3 pre-post studies, and 1 quasi-randomized controlled trial were included in the review, representing a total of 1837 patients. Of the 12 studies included, 8 specifically focused on renal transplant, and 1 each focused on liver, lung, abdominal organ, and general solid organ transplant. The pivotal pharmacist activities leading to the main patient outcomes were medication counselling (n = 8 studies), medication reconciliation (n = 5), and reviewing and optimizing drug therapy (n = 3). Improvements to medication adherence (n = 6 studies), morbidity (n = 4), costs (n = 2), and medication errors (n = 2) were reported.

CONCLUSION

Currently available evidence suggests that pharmacists can improve patient outcomes in the solid organ transplant setting. Adherence, morbidity, costs, and medication errors were identified as the main outcomes that were improved by pharmaceutical interventions. Transplant programs need to invest more in this resource.

A systematic review of immunosuppressant adherence interventions in transplant recipients: Decoding the streetlight effect

Non-adherence to immunosuppressant medications is an important risk factor for graft dysfunction. To evaluate the effectiveness of adherence-enhancing interventions, we reviewed adherence intervention studies in solid organ transplant recipients (all ages). Using the following databases: PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, we identified 41 eligible studies. Only three non-randomized trials showed a possible positive effect on objective indicators of transplant outcomes (such as rejection, liver enzyme levels, kidney function). None of the 21 RCTs showed an improvement in transplant outcomes. Three studies showed a higher rate of adverse events in the intervention group as compared with controls, although this may be related to ascertainment bias. Improvement in adherence as measured indirectly (eg, with electronic monitoring devices) was not aligned with effects on transplant outcomes. We conclude that adherence interventions, to date, have largely been ineffective in improving transplant outcomes. To improve this track record, intervention efforts may wish to concentrate on non-adherent patients (rather than use convenience sampling, which excludes many of the patients who need the intervention), use direct measures of adherence to guide the interventions, and employ strategies that are intensive and yet engaging enough to ensure that non-adherent patients are able to participate.

Prescription drug insurance coverage and patient health outcomes: a systematic review

Previous reviews have shown that changes in prescription drug insurance benefits can affect medication use and adherence. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify studies addressing the association between prescription drug coverage and health outcomes. Studies were included if they collected empirical data on expansions or restrictions of prescription drug coverage and if they reported clinical outcomes. We found 23 studies demonstrating that broader prescription drug insurance reduces use of other health care services and has a positive impact on patient outcomes. Coverage gaps or caps on drug insurance generally led to worse outcomes. States should consider implementing the Affordable Care Act expansions in drug coverage to improve the health of low-income patients receiving state-based health insurance.

Value of solid organ transplant-trained pharmacists in transplant infectious diseases

Advances in organ transplantation have led to improved graft and patient survival. Transplant pharmacist's education and training uniquely position them to contribute knowledge and skills to the management of these highly complex patients. In 2004, the United Network for Organ Sharing bylaws added requirements that all transplant programs identify one or more pharmacists with experience in transplant pharmacotherapy to be responsible for providing pharmaceutical care to solid organ transplant recipients. These bylaws also delineated the transplant pharmacist's roles and responsibilities. To further support these efforts, in 2007 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services accreditation standards for transplant centers also mandated that a center have a designated, qualified expert in transplant pharmacology as a multidisciplinary team member. The transplant pharmacist is a consistent member of the transplant team that can add value to the multidisciplinary approach of prevention and treatment of transplant infectious diseases through all phases of transplant care.

Impact of Pharmacist Involvement in Early Identification and Enrollment in Patient Assistance Programs on CMV Outcomes in Transplantation

Background:

No data exist evaluating the utilization of patient assistance programs (PAPs) on cytomegalovirus (CMV)-related outcomes.

Objective:

To determine whether early identification and enrollment in PAPs can prevent CMV-related events.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of patients at risk of CMV reactivation who received kidney and/or pancreas transplants. Two groups were evaluated with patients receiving oral valganciclovir for CMV prophylaxis through enrollment in PAPs or oral acyclovir with preemptive CMV monitoring. Primary outcomes include the incidence of CMV infection. Secondary outcomes include a cost benefit analysis, incidence of rejection, patient/graft survival, and time to CMV infection.

Results:

There were 97 patients identified; valganciclovir through PAPs (n = 39) and preemptive CMV quantitative nucleic acid testing monitoring (n = 58). The incidence of CMV viremia was lower in the PAP group (12.8% vs 36.2%, respectively; P = .021). There were no significant differences in CMV syndrome/disease, acute rejection, graft loss, or death between the groups. The time to CMV infection was shorter in the preemptive group. Cost benefit analysis found that hiring a full time pharmacy employee for enrolling patients in PAPs was cost beneficial for the institution/health care system.

Conclusion:

Early identification and enrollment of patients in PAPs reduces the incidence of CMV viremia. Pharmacists play a crucial role in this process.

Serving underserved transplant recipients: experience of the Medication Access Program

OBJECTIVE

Programs have been established to help underserved, solid-organ transplant recipients and other patient populations address the burden of medication regimen costs. The purpose of this study was to describe one such program, the Medication Access Program (MAP), and the population of solid-organ transplant recipients it serves. An additional objective was to compare characteristics of recipients whose MAP enrollment was continued versus those who were discontinued during the annual re-enrollment period.

METHODS

Enrollment into MAP is based on referral from a pharmacist or another health care professional/transplant team member. To enroll, a recipient must complete an application which includes information about demographics, health care coverage, income, and medication regimen. To maintain enrollment, patients must complete a renewal application on an annual basis. Data were collected from renewal applications for 2012 and 2011 (for those who did not return the 2012 renewal applications). Chi-square analyses and Student's t-test for independent samples were conducted to compare the characteristics of those who renewed their MAP enrollment in 2012 and those who were discontinued because they did not return the renewal application. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was conducted to determine variables predictive of MAP continuation status.

RESULTS

In total, 246 recipients were included. The majority qualified for Medicare (67.9%), did not qualify for Medicaid (69.9%), and did not have private health care coverage (63.8%). Significantly more continued recipients qualified for Medicare compared to discontinued recipients (P=0.002). Discontinued recipients had a greater number of past discontinuations than continued recipients (P=0.01). In the logistic regression analysis, qualifying for Medicare was significantly associated with continuation status (P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

MAP is designed to increase medication access for low-income solid-organ transplant recipients through enrollment into medication assistance programs, education regarding medication therapy, and availability of medication assistance programs. Health care providers should use historical monitoring to identify high risk patients and implement programs that will facilitate continuity of care.

Medication errors and adverse drug events in kidney transplant recipients: incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes associated with clinically significant medication errors or adverse drug events in kidney transplant recipients.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Transplant center at an academic medical center.

PATIENTS

A total of 476 adults who received kidney transplants between June 2006 and July 2009.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Severe or significant medication errors and adverse drug events (medication-related problems [MRPs]) were identified by medical record review. Only patient-induced medication errors (e.g., took wrong dose or frequency of drug, took drug not prescribed) were captured. Clinical outcomes included patient and graft survival, infections (including cytomegalovirus), readmissions, and acute rejection episodes. Thirty-seven (8%) of the 476 patients developed a clinically significant MRP. Univariate and confirmatory multivariate analyses revealed that female sex, African-American race, pretransplantation diabetes mellitus, delayed graft function, and retransplant recipients were independent risk factors for developing an MRP. Patients with MRPs had significantly higher rates of acute rejection (11% vs 30%, p=0.004), cytomegalovirus infection (15% vs 30%, p=0.033), and 30-day readmissions (5% vs 16%, p=0.018). Graft survival was also significantly lower in patients who had MRPs (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patient-induced medication errors and associated adverse drug events were common in kidney transplant recipients. General and transplant-specific risk factors were associated with the development of these MRPs, and MRPs were associated with increased risk of rejection and graft loss.

Reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic syndrome in a community health center after a pharmaceutical care program of pharmacotherapy follow-up

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a pharmaceutical care (PC) program in a sample of public outpatients with metabolic syndrome (MS) who were being treated in Brazil's health system; the patients were randomized into PC or standard care. The pharmacotherapy follow-up (PF) was performed in a total of 120 patients with type 2 diabetes for 6 months. Adherence to treatment (measured with the Morisky test), negative outcomes associated with medication (NOM) and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured before and after PF. The Framingham scoring method was used to estimate changes in 10-year coronary heart disease risk scores in all patients. Ninety-six of 120 patients had characteristics of MS and were randomized into two groups (G): the control group (CG: 36) and the intervention group (IG: 38). Among the MS patients, 100% were taking a glucose-lowering drug; many were also taking anti-hypertensive drugs (CG: 72%; IG: 73%), and some patients were also taking hypolipemic drugs (CG: 12.0%; IG: 14.7%). Only 20.7% of the IG patients were considered adherent to their prescribed drugs. In the CG, an increase of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk (22±2 to 26±3; p<0.05) was observed, while in the IG, there was a reduction in CHD risk (22±2 to 14±2%; p<0.01). The PC program administered to patients with MS monitored through the primary healthcare services of the Brazilian public health system improved patient health, resulting in clinical improvements and a decrease in cardiovascular risk in IG patients over a period of ten years.

Pharmacists' interventions in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic kidney disease have multiple comorbidities and require complicated therapeutic regimens. The role of pharmacists caring for these patients has been documented, but no review of the impact of these interventions has occurred to date. The aim of this work is to assess the impact of pharmacists' interventions in patients with chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

Medline, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Pharmacy Abstracts and the Cochrane Library were searched for quantitative studies addressing the contribution of pharmacists' interventions in patients with chronic kidney disease. Quality of controlled studies was assessed using the Downs and Black scale.

RESULTS

The search identified 37 studies (38 articles), involving 4743 participants, eligible for inclusion in the review. An uncontrolled design corresponded with 80% of the studies. Twenty-one articles (55.3%) reported outcome measures and process indicators, 4 (10.5%) reported only outcome measures and 13 (34.2%) reported only process indicators. Pharmacists identified 2683 drug-related problems in 1209 patients. The results from eight controlled studies (average quality score 0.57, SD = 0.10) demonstrated that pharmacists' interventions reduced all-cause hospitalisations [mean (SD) 1.8 (2.4) versus 3.1 (3.0), P = 0.02] and cumulative time hospitalised [mean (SD) 9.7 (14.7) versus 15.5 (16.3) days, P = 0.06], reduced the incidence of end-stage renal disease or death in patients with diabetic nephropathy (14.8 versus 28.2 per 100 patient-years, adjusted relative risk 60%, P < 0.001), improved management of anemia (mean 69.8 versus 43.9%, P = 0.0001 and 64.8 versus 40.4%, P = 0.043 patients on goal hemoglobin and transferrin saturation, respectively), blood pressure [systolic mean (SD) 145.3 (16.8) versus 175.8 (33.9) mmHg, P = 0.029; diastolic mean (SD) 77.0 (10.2) versus 91.8 (12.0) mmHg, P = 0.020], calcium and phosphate parameters [serum phosphate levels mean (SD) 1.81 (0.54) versus 2.07 (0.25) mmol/L, P = 0.03; calcium-phosphate product mean (SD) 4.43 (1.20) versus 4.80 (0.51) mmol(2)/L(2), P = 0.04] and lipid management [total cholesterol mean (SD) 4.4 (1.1) versus 5.0 (1.4) mmol/L, P = 0.06; low density lipoprotein cholesterol mean (SD) 2.3 (0.9) versus 2.8 (1.0) mmol/L, P = 0.013]. Results from uncontrolled studies revealed positive impact of pharmacists' interventions on reduced number of transplant rejections [mean (SD) 0.22 (0.42) versus 0.50 (0.51) episodes, P = 0.008] and adverse events (49 in 16.0% patients versus 73 in 21.3% patients, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence of pharmacists' interventions in patients with chronic kidney disease is sparse, of variable quality and with heterogeneous outcomes. On the basis of best available evidence, pharmacists' interventions may have a positive impact on outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease.

What is the evidence for pharmaceutical patient assistance programs? A systematic review

Pharmaceutical patient assistance programs (PAPs) have the potential to improve prescription drug accessibility for eligible patients, but currently there is limited information regarding their effectiveness. In an attempt to provide a systematic description of primary studies on PAPs, we reviewed 33 unique studies from commercial and grey literature (e.g., government publications, conference abstracts) sources: 15 health care outcome evaluations, seven economic evaluations, seven surveys and four miscellaneous studies. Enrollment assistance for PAPs with additional medication services (e.g., counseling) was significantly associated with improved glycemic (standardized mean difference=-0.40, 95% CI=-0.59,-0.20; k=3 one-group, pre-post-test; 1 comparison-group) and lipid (standardized mean difference=-0.52, 95% CI=0.78,-0.27; k=3 one-group, pre-post-test; 1 comparison group) control. Inadequately designed economic evaluations suggest free PAP medications offset health care institutions' costs for uncompensated medications and enrollment assistance programs. More rigorous research is needed to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of PAPs from a patient and health care institution perspective.

Provision of clinical pharmacy services in two safety net provider settings

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this report is to characterize the patient population served by the Grace Lamsam Pharmacy Program and to describe program outcomes.

METHODS

A chart review was conducted for all patients (n=100) participating in the Grace Lamsam Pharmacy Program from January 1, 2007 to February 6, 2008. The primary outcome data collected were the medication related problems (unnecessary drug therapy, needs additional drug therapy, ineffective drug therapy, dosage too low, dosage too high, adverse drug reaction, noncompliance, and needs different drug product) identified by pharmacists, the number and type of pharmacist interventions made, estimated cost savings from perspective of the patient and clinical data (hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure measurements, and LDL-C) for patients with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, respectively. Basic demographic data was collected, including: patient gender, age, education level, race/ethnicity, marital status, and income. Patients' smoking status, type and number of medical conditions, medications being used at baseline, and number of pharmacist visits per patient during the study review period were also recorded.

RESULTS

The majority of patients cared for were male, middle-aged, and African-American. The majority (90%) of patients had an income below 150% of the 2007 Federal poverty level. Patients were most commonly treated for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. During the period of review, 188 medication related problems were identified and documented with noncompliance being the most common medication related problem identified. Pharmacists completed 477 Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Assistance Program applications for 68 patients. These interventions represented a cost savings from the patients' perspective of approximately 243 USD per month during the review period. Blood pressure, A1C, and LDL-C readings improved in patients enrolled in the clinical pharmacy program at the free clinic and the community health center.

CONCLUSION

A clinical pharmacy services model provides a role for the pharmacist in an interdisciplinary team (beyond the traditional dispensing role) to identify medication related problems in the drug therapy of patients who utilize safety-net provider health care services.