Pharmacist involvement in primary care improves hypertensive patient clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND: The practice of pharmaceutical care in primary care settings in Thailand is currently not generally accepted. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pharmacist involvement in treatment with hypertensive patients in primary care settings. METHODS: The treatment objective was to stabilize the blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive patients in accordance with the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure guidelines. Patients were randomly assigned to a pharmacist-involved group (treatment) or a group with no pharmacist involvement (control). Pre- and post-test BPs, tablet counts, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacists' recommendations were recorded. The 6-month study was carried out in Mahasarakham University pharmacy and 2 primary care units. Patients were monitored monthly by reviewing their medications and supported by providing pharmaceutical care and counseling. RESULTS: From a total of 235 patients, the treatment group (n = 118) had a significant reduction in both systolic (S) and diastolic (D) BP compared with the 117 patients of the control group (p = 0.037, 0.027, respectively). The 158 patients (76 treatment, 82 control) with BPs >or=140/90 mm Hg at the beginning of the study showed significant BP reductions (p = 0.002 SBP, 0.008 DBP). The proportion of 158 patients whose BP became stabilized was higher in the treatment group (p = 0.017). The treatment group showed significantly better adherence (p = 0.014) and exercise control (p = 0.012) at the end of the study. Physicians accepted 42.72% of medication modifications and 5.34% of the suggestions for additional investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive patients who received pharmacist input achieved a significantly greater benefit in BP reduction, BP control, and improvement in adherence rate and lifestyle modification.     

Pharmacist intervention program for control of hypertension

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical care programs have been shown to improve outcomes in hypertension. However, most programs required direct access to patient medical chart and patient consultation sessions by appointment. OBJECTIVE: To follow the current practice of community pharmacy, exploring the effect of an intervention program on blood pressure (BP) and factors affecting BP. METHODS: Treated hypertensive patients were enrolled in a 9-month controlled study involving 9 community pharmacies. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model was used as conceptual framework to identify factors affecting BP, to incorporate those factors in an intervention program, and to evaluate the impact of the program. A computerized decision-aid tool was used by pharmacists from 4 pharmacies to provide pharmaceutical care to subjects (n = 41); pharmacists from the 5 other pharmacies performed usual care (n = 59). As there was a statistically significant interaction due to family income in describing the impact of pharmacists' intervention on BP, population was stratified by family income in the analyses. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the pharmacy program resulted in significant systolic BP reduction (-7.8 vs. 0.5 mm Hg; p = 0.01) and an increase in the proportion of controlled patients only for those with high incomes. In the high-income group, the program also had a positive impact on physical activity, self-reported adherence, health concerns, and information transmitted. The low-income group did not appear to benefit from the program. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist intervention can modify factors affecting adherence, improve adherence, and reduce BP levels in patients treated with antihypertensive agents. Impact of pharmacist intervention on BP differed according to patient income status.     

The EMITT study: development and evaluation of a medication information transfer tool

BACKGROUND: Continuity of care is required as patients move from the care of one pharmacist to another. The appropriate transfer of medication information between pharmacists as well as to patients at these times is essential in order to prevent drug-related problems (DRPs). OBJECTIVE: To develop a tool to transfer medication information between various pharmacists caring for the same patients. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the tool based on utility in practice and satisfaction of pharmacists. METHODS: The project consisted of a needs assessment involving in-depth interviews with patients and pharmacists and a literature review. These data were used to develop an optimal tool for medication information transfer between pharmacists in different practice settings. The tool was evaluated in a feasibility pilot for potential utility and pharmacist satisfaction. RESULTS: The tool created called EMITT (electronic medication information transfer tool) facilitates the communication of information to outpatient pharmacists including a letter and an up-to-date list of the patient's drugs. A total of 187 medication issues were communicated within 40 transferred letters, 61 of which required active follow-up, which potentially prevented 348 DRPs if the receiver of the information acted on the information that was provided. The 3 most common issues that required follow-up were restarting a held medication (n = 13), adjustment of doses based on laboratory results (n = 11), and starting a new indicated medication in the future (n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: A tool can be created to help address the gap in communication between pharmacists when patients move between interfaces of care by evaluating the needs of healthcare professionals involved in the information transfer process. It is envisioned that the elements of our tool can be easily adapted to other institutions to improve medication information transfer.     

Virologic response using directly observed therapy in adolescents with HIV: an adherence tool.

Virologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment of HIV infection depends on viral sensitivity to antiretrovirals and excellent medication adherence. Adolescents with vertically acquired HIV may require complicated regimens because of significant treatment experience and often have poor medication adherence. A retrospective chart review identified five adolescents with vertically acquired HIV and plasma HIV viral load rebound or nonresponse on a stable HAART regimen followed by a period of directly observed therapy (DOT) in a clinic or hospital setting with serial viral load measurements. Four subjects had a virologic response (mean decline, 1.15 log10) after DOT. A response to HAART can be seen despite antiretrovirals resistance using DOT and treatment-experienced patients seemingly unresponsive to HAART may be nonadherent even with reassuring adherence measures. A period of clinic-monitored DOT may allow diagnosis of nonadherence, discussion of medication barriers, and avoidance of unnecessary medication changes.     

Assessment for chronic kidney disease service in high-risk patients at community health clinics

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses significant public health concerns. Early identification and interventions can help prevent or slow progression to end-stage renal disease. OBJECTIVE: To characterize CKD in high-risk indigent patients in a primary care setting and evaluate opportunities for pharmacists to work collaboratively with physicians to improve medication use and CKD patient outcomes. METHODS: Medical records of 200 patients with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension were reviewed by the clinical pharmacist. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (creatinine clearance [Cl(cr)]) and urinalysis were used to identify and stage CKD according to published guidelines. Glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations and blood pressures were recorded. The pharmacist evaluated medications for possible drug-related problems (DRPs), made therapeutic recommendations, and evaluated the acceptance rate by physicians. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen patients met inclusion criteria, and a total of 68.9% met CKD criteria: stage 1, 16.0%; stage 2, 20.2%; stage 3, 25.2%; stage 4, 1.7%; stage 5, 0.8%; and not stageable, 5.0%. A total of 381 DRPs were identified, averaging 3.2 (1.7) per patient (range 0-11). The number of DRPs correlated with Cl(cr) (r = -0.25; p = 0.007). Therapeutic recommendations included change of drug, dose and/or interval adjustment of the current drug, discontinuation of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, additional laboratory monitoring, meeting goal blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin, adding renoprotective drug and/or low-dose aspirin, and nephrologist referral. Fewer than half (40.9%) of the recommendations were accepted or accepted with modifications, and an approximately equal percentage were not accepted by the physicians. CONCLUSIONS: CKD prevalence was high among the patients evaluated here. New guidelines are available to assist in managing CKD ambulatory patients. Pharmacist collaboration with physicians may optimize CKD screening in high-risk patients and improve medication usage.     

Drug-related problem classification systems

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of and critically appraise classifications of drug-related problems (DRPs) for use during the pharmaceutical care process and research in pharmacy. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Yahoo (January 2003) and manually. The search terms included DRP, drug-related problem, drug-therapy problem, and medicine-related problem. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: English- and German-language articles on pharmaceutical care and DRPs were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Most classifications of DRPs were identified through searching publications on pharmaceutical care and DRPs. Fourteen classifications with different focuses were found. Some classifications were hierarchical, categorized into main groups and subgroups. Various terminologies and definitions for DRPs were revealed, as well as guidelines for an optimal DRP classification. Classifications were assessed according to a clear definition, published validation method, and results reflecting process and outcomes, usability in pharmaceutical care practice, and a hierarchical structure with main groups and subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Finding DRP classifications by computerized search of the biomedical literature with the help of PubMed proved to be difficult. No classification could be found that met all of our criteria for an optimal system. Few classifications have been validated. Three have been tested as to their usability in practice and internal consistency. The Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe system Version 4 comes closest to the defined requirements.     

Collaborative care model to improve outcomes in major depression

OBJECTIVE: To develop a pharmacist intervention to improve depression care and outcomes within a primary care setting. METHODS: Pragmatic, randomized trial of a clinical pharmacist collaborative care intervention versus usual care in a busy, academic family practice clinic. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with a new episode of major depression and started on antidepressant medications were randomized to enhanced care (EC) or usual care (UC) groups. EC consists of a clinical pharmacist collaborating with primary care providers (PCPs) to facilitate education, initiation, and titration of acute-phase antidepressant treatment to monitor treatment adherence and to prevent relapse. Control patients receive UC by their PCP. The main end point is reduction of depression symptoms over time as measured by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-20). Other outcomes include the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM-IV) criteria for major depression, health-related quality of life measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 (SF-12), medication adherence, patient satisfaction, and healthcare utilization. The main end point and the cost of treating major depression will be used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the collaborative care model. CONCLUSIONS: The study is a unique, ongoing trial that may have important implications for the treatment of depression in primary care settings as well as new roles for clinical pharmacists.     

Position paper on critical care pharmacy services. Society of Critical Care Medicine and American College of Clinical Pharmacy Task Force on Critical Care Pharmacy Services

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the Task Force on Critical Care Pharmacy Services was to identify and describe the scope of practice that characterizes the critical care pharmacist and critical care pharmacy services. Specifically, the aims were to define the level of clinical practice and specialized skills characterizing the critical care pharmacist as clinician, educator, researcher, and manager; and to recommend fundamental, desirable, and optimal pharmacy services and personnel requirements for the provision of pharmaceutical care to critically ill patients. Hospitals having comprehensive resources as well as those with more limited resources were considered. DATA SOURCES: Consensus opinion of critical care pharmacists from institutions of various sizes providing critical care services within several types of pharmacy practice models was obtained, including community-based and academic practice settings. Existing guidelines and literature describing pharmacy practice and medication use processes were reviewed and adapted for the critical care setting. CONCLUSIONS: By combining the strengths and expertise of critical care pharmacy specialists with existing supporting literature, these recommendations define the level of clinical practice and specialized skills that characterize the critical care pharmacist as clinician, educator, researcher, and manager. This Position Paper recommends fundamental, desirable, and optimal pharmacy services as well as personnel requirements for the provision of pharmaceutical care to critically ill patients.     

When does pharmaceutical care impact health outcomes? A comparison of community pharmacy-based studies of pharmaceutical care for patients with asthma

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical care (PC) as a philosophy of care and practice model is now >14 years old. It is important to determine whether PC influences health outcomes. Such outcomes are best studied in specific disease states where variables are minimized and specific outcomes have been established. We analyzed 4 multi-site controlled studies that evaluated PC in community pharmacies for patients with asthma. Study results varied widely. OBJECTIVE: To understand factors contributing to positive outcomes from PC for asthma. METHODS: The 4 studies were compared on the basis of 10 aspects of their research design, as well as 10 elements of PC. Dr. McLean conducted the initial analysis, and his assessments were confirmed by Dr. MacKeigan. RESULTS: Important differences were found in the type of pharmacy where PC was delivered (chain vs independent), how pharmacies were selected (required vs volunteered), patient selection (on asthma medication vs uncontrolled disease), pharmacist training (4-h workshop vs certification over several weeks), the nature of PC protocol (computer reminders vs detailed care protocol), rigor of the protocol (intervention vs requirement to reach self-management), and the level of pharmacist adherence to the PC protocol (<50% vs 90%). Differences were also found in study design. CONCLUSIONS: More favorable PC outcomes were associated with use of all elements of PC, independent pharmacies, pharmacist certification, a detailed PC protocol, targeting patients with uncontrolled asthma, and a practice system facilitating PC.     

Pharmacist impact on clinical outcomes in a diabetes disease management program via collaborative practice

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes resulting from pharmaceutical care have been incompletely addressed in the diabetes population. We conducted a retrospective study evaluating clinical outcomes in a diabetes disease management program in which clinical pharmacists possessed collaborative practice agreements. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in clinical outcomes for patients enrolled in a pharmacist-coordinated diabetes management program. METHODS: Medical records of 157 patients enrolled in the diabetes management program between June 2003 and April 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collection included baseline and follow-up values for hemoglobin A(1C) (A1C) and lipids as well as frequency of adherence to preventive care, including annual foot and eye examinations and daily aspirin therapy. RESULTS: For patients with both baseline and follow-up data, the mean A1C reduction was 1.6% (n = 109; p < 0.001). For patients with an initial A1C of > or =8.5%, the mean reduction was 2.7% (n = 57; p < 0.001). The percentage of patients with A1C < or =7% increased from 19% at baseline to 50% at follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) reduction observed was 16 mg/dL (n = 73; NS) and the percentage of patients with LDL values < or =100 mg/dL increased from 30% at baseline to 56% at follow-up (p < 0.001). The frequency of microalbumin screening increased by 27% (p < 0.001), and the number of patients with annual eye and foot examinations increased by 27% (p < 0.05) and 15% (p < 0.05), respectively. The percentage of patients who had a positive microalbumin test and were taking a renal protective agent rose 19% from baseline to follow-up (NS). The percentage of patients taking daily aspirin increased from 42% at baseline to 80% at follow-up (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacist-coordinated diabetes management program was effective in improving clinical markers for enrolled patients. Significant improvements were observed in A1C and LDL values as well as the frequency of adherence to preventive care.     

A nurse- and pharmacist-led treatment advice clinic for patients attending an HIV outpatient clinic

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to map care pathways, examine the approach of different treatment advisors and explore the acceptability of a nurse- and pharmacist-led treatment advice clinic in order to aid decision-making for the future development and evaluation of the clinic. BACKGROUND: High levels of adherence to antiretroviral drugs are a prerequisite for a successful and durable virological and immunological response to HIV. Treatment guidelines acknowledge that adherence is a process, not a single event, and that adherence support must be integrated into clinical follow-up for all patients receiving these drugs. METHOD: Data were collected between September 2004 and January 2005 through 17 consultation observations and 10 patient interviews in a specialist treatment advice clinic located within a central London HIV outpatient clinic providing care for over 2200 patients, of whom more than 1300 are taking highly active antiretroviral therapy. FINDINGS: The nurses and pharmacist had similar consultation approaches, although follow-up care varied in extent. Benefits of the clinic approach included permitting patients to observe real tablets, tailoring regimens to lifestyles and telephone follow-up. These factors, particularly telephone support, were perceived by patients to assist with adherence. CONCLUSION: The role of telephone support, perceived to assist with initial adherence, requires further investigation. Future work is also needed to explore the health economics of this approach and to determine the actual impact of the clinic on clinical and adherence outcomes.     

The contribution of patient interviews to the identification of drug‐related problems in home medication review

What is known and Objective: To determine to what extent patient interviews contribute to the identification of drug‐related problems (DRPs) in home medication reviews, in terms of number, type and clinical relevance. Methods: We performed a cross‐sectional study within the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial. Patients were recruited from 10 Dutch community pharmacies. Patients were eligible if they were home‐dwelling, aged 65 years and over and used five or more different drugs, including at least one cardiovascular or antidiabetic drug. The community pharmacist interviewed the patient at home about the medicines and identified potential DRPs in combination with medication and clinical records. This medication review was assessed and modified by an independent pharmacist reviewers’ panel. Outcomes were the number and type of DRPs and recommendations and percentage of clinical relevant DRPs. Clinical relevance of DRPs was assessed by DRPs assigned a high priority, DRPs followed by recommendations for drug change and DRPs followed by implemented recommendations for drug change. Results: A total of 1565 potential DRPs and recommendations (10 per patient).were identified for 155 patients (median age, 76 years; 54% women). Fifty‐eight per cent of all recommendations involved a drug change; 27% of all DRPs were identified during patient interviews and 74% from medication and clinical records. Compared to DRPs identified from patient medication and clinical records, DRPs identified during patient interviews were more frequently assigned a high priority (OR = 1·8 [1·4–2·2]), were more frequently associated with recommendations for drug change (OR = 2·4 [1·9–3·1]) and were implemented recommendations for drug change (OR = 2·8 [2·1–3·7]). What is new and Conclusion: This study shows that more than a quarter of all DRPs were identified during patient interviews. DRPs identified during patient interviews were more frequently assigned a higher clinical relevance.     

Effects of pharmaceutical care on adherence and persistence to bisphosphonates in postmenopausal osteoporotic women

What is known and Objective: Studies have shown that comprehensive interventions by pharmacists can improve adherence and persistence to osteoporosis therapy, but the association between adherence and bone turnover markers (BTMs) has never been studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pharmaceutical care on medication adherence (and its effects on BTMs), as well as persistence of postmenopausal osteoporotic women to prescribed bisphosphonates. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2005 to 2009 in the University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. Inclusion criteria: postmenopausal osteoporotic women diagnosed with osteoporosis with a T‐score≤?2·5 or who had a low‐trauma fracture and prescribed weekly alendronate/risedronate. Intervention participants received counselling on osteoporosis, risk factors, lifestyle modifications, goals of therapy, side effects and the importance of adherence. Adherence was assessed at months 3, 6 and 12, and persistence at month 12. Feedback on BTMs was provided at months 4 and 7. The control group received no counselling. Two BTMs were used: serum C‐terminal cross‐linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX‐I) and serum osteocalcin (OC). Main outcomes measured: medication adherence, BTMs and persistence. Results and Discussion: Intervention participants who received pharmaceutical care reported significantly higher medication adherence at 6 (P = 0·015) and 12 months (P = 0·047) compared with the control group; but this effect was not shown by the BTMs. This is probably due to the long effect of bisphosphonates in bone. A significant difference was found between serum CTX‐I and OC in identifying non‐responders to anti‐resorptive therapy (P < 0·001), indicating the usefulness of BTMs as an objective marker. However, pharmaceutical care did not affect persistence to osteoporosis therapy within a 1‐year period [log rank (Mantel–Cox) χ² = 0·496, P = 0·481]. The proportion of participants who were persistent with bisphosphonate therapy after 12 months was 89·8% and 87·0% in the control and intervention group respectively. What is new and Conclusion: The provision of pharmaceutical care improved medication adherence but not persistence. BTMs were not appropriate objective measures for assessing adherence to weekly bisphosphonates but were useful for identifying non‐responders to treatment within 3–6 months, much earlier than using bone mineral density. The study indicates that pharmacists have a role in improving medication adherence, but its long‐term effect on persistence warrants further studies with longer duration.     

Community pharmacy-based pharmaceutical care for asthma patients

BACKGROUND: Despite significant progress in asthma drug therapy in recent years, there has been no major change in asthma morbidity and mortality. It is still important to determine whether pharmaceutical care (PC) influences health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of PC with regard to clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes in adults with asthma. METHODS: An intervention study was conducted over 12 months. At baseline, 39 community/retail pharmacies, 84 primary care physicians (general practitioners, internal specialists, chest physicians), and 183 patients (aged 18-65 y) diagnosed with asthma were included. To evaluate economic outcomes, 2 German statutory health insurance funds provided 2 years of claims data for their insured patients (n = 55). A 1:10 matching was carried out to compare the data of this intervention subgroup with those of a control group (n = 550). RESULTS: Significant improvements were found for all humanistic outcomes (eg, asthma-specific quality of life, self-efficacy, knowledge, medication adherence). In addition, asthma severity, self-reported symptoms, peak expiratory flow, and patients' inhalation technique improved. Increases in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and vital capacity were not significant over time. Evaluation of the insurance claims data revealed a shift toward better adherence to evidence-based therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that PC for people with asthma has a positive impact on humanistic and, to some extent, on clinical outcomes. To determine potential economic benefits, future research should focus on patients with more severe asthma.     

Pharmacist prescribing in the UK - a literature review of current practice and research

OBJECTIVE: To review the research literature to date on pharmacist prescribing in the United Kingdom (UK) and to explore the main areas of care and practice settings including any benefits and limitations. FINDINGS: There are two models of pharmacist prescribing in the UK: pharma\cist supplementary prescribing (SP) introduced in 2003, involving a voluntary partnership between the responsible independent prescriber (a physician or a dentist), the supplementary prescriber and the patient, to implement an agreed patient-specific clinical management plan; and pharmacist independent prescribing (IP) introduced in 2006, responsible for the assessment and consequent management, including prescribing of both undiagnosed and diagnosed conditions. There have been narrative reports of pharmacist SP in different health care settings including primary care, community pharmacies, secondary care and at the primary/secondary care interface; published research within these areas of care is conflicting as to which setting is more suitable for pharmacist prescribing. Initial research reports that almost 50% of pharmacist supplementary prescribers self-reported prescribing with both benefits of and barriers to implementing SP. Research involving other healthcare professionals has indicated that encroachment of traditional roles is likely to occur because of the advent of pharmacist prescribing. A small-scale study has concluded that patients are likely to accept pharmacist prescribing favourably, with another study showing pharmacist prescribing leading to improved adherence to guidelines. There is no published research yet available about practices involving pharmacist IP. DISCUSSION: Most of the literature focuses on pharmacists' perceptions of SP, with little information referring to other stakeholders, including patients. There is also limited published research focusing on clinical and economic outcomes of pharmacist SP. CONCLUSION: This is a rapidly changing aspect of pharmacy practice in the UK, particularly with the more recent introduction of pharmacist IP. It is likely that this area of research will expand rapidly over the coming years.