Retrospective Analysis of Medication Adherence and Cost Following Medication Therapy Management

Objective: To determine if pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) improves medication adherence in Medicare patients. A secondary objective is to compare the total monthly cost of a patient’s prescription medication regimen 6 months before and 6 months following a comprehensive medication review (CMR). Design: Retrospective analysis of medication adherence, pre-post comparison. Setting: Three independent pharmacies in North Carolina. Patients: 97 Medicare Part D beneficiaries with one or more chronic disease states who participated in a comprehensive medication review (CMR). Intervention: MTM services provided by community pharmacists. Main outcome measure: Change in adherence as measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC) and change in medication costs for patients and third party payers. Results: Patients were adherent to chronic disease-state medications before and after MTM (PDC≥ 0.8). Overall, change in mean adherence before and after MTM did not change significantly (0.87 and 0.88, respectively; p = 0.43). However, patients taking medications for cholesterol management, GERD, thyroid and BPH demonstrated improved adherence following a CMR. No change in adherence was noted for patients using antihypertensives and antidiabetic agents. Average total chronic disease-state medication costs for participants were reduced from $210.74 to$193.63 (p=0.08) following the comprehensive medication review. Total costs for patient and third party payers decreased from patients prescribed antilipemics, antihypertensives, GERD and thyroid disorders following a CMR. Conclusions: Pharmacist-provided MTM services were effective at improving medication adherence for some patients managed with chronic medications. Pharmacist-provided MTM services also were effective in decreasing total medication costs

Is comprehensive medication review cost-effective for patients admitted to hospital?

Problematic polypharmacy is a major public health problem, linked to high morbidity, mortality and use of National Health Service (NHS) resources. Medicines optimisation supports management of polypharmacy, chronic conditions and comorbidities by ensuring appropriate use of medicines. A key component is comprehensive medication review (CMR) – evaluating patients’ medication to optimise use and reduce medication-related problems and waste. CMR is recommended for problematic polypharmacy but its cost-effectiveness in UK hospitals is unknown and uptake is low. This thesis investigates CMR cost-effectiveness in UK NHS hospitals. CMR is complex, with multiple interacting components, and economic evaluation should accommodate the context and complexity. Two de novo cost-effectiveness models were developed, which demonstrated that CMR compared to usual care is a cost-effective use of resources for the general population of elderly acutely hospitalised patients over a short timeframe and for elderly patients with heart failure over a long timeframe. Analysis of data from 3,043 patients in five London hospitals revealed the difference between the number of medicines on discharge and the number of medicines on admission was less with CMR than with usual care. CMR was associated with an increase in the number of medicines deprescribed, held and started. The saving from deprescribing medicines was -£2.78 per month per patient larger in the CMR group than in the usual care group. The results of the empirical study complement the findings from both cost-effectiveness models. Further review and analysis showed that targeting CMR at patients with significant morbidity and mortality, potentially inappropriate prescribing and high treatment costs may increase its health and economic impact. This was exemplified by the cost-effectiveness of CMR for patients with heart failure; the study could be replicated for other diseases. This thesis indicates that well-delivered CMR should be routine hospital care for older patients with co-morbidity and/or specific target conditions.Open Acces

Factors associated with comprehensive medication review completion rates: A national survey of community pharmacists

Background Completion rates for medication therapy management (MTM) services have been lower than desired and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has added MTM comprehensive medication review (CMR) completion rates as a Part D plan star measure. Over half of plans utilize community pharmacists via contracts with MTM vendors. Objectives The primary objective of this survey study was to identify factors associated with the CMR completion rates of community pharmacies contracted with a national MTM vendor. Methodsl Representatives from 27,560 pharmacy locations contracted with a national MTM vendor were surveyed. The dependent variable of interest was the pharmacies' CMR completion rate. Independent variables included the pharmacy's progressiveness stratum and number of CMRs assigned by the MTM vendor during the time period, as well as self-reported data to characterize MTM facilitators, barriers, delivery strategies, staffing, selected items from a modified Assessment of Chronic Illness Care, and pharmacist/pharmacy demographics. Univariate negative binomial models were fit for each independent variable, and variables significant at p < 0.05 were entered into a multivariable model. Results Representatives from 3836 (13.9%) pharmacy locations responded; of these, 90.9% (n = 3486) responses were useable. The median CMR completion rate was 0.42. Variables remaining significant at p < 0.05 in the multivariable model included: progressiveness strata; pharmacy type; scores on the facilitators scale; responses to two potential barriers items; scores on the patient/caregiver delivery strategies sub-scale; providing MTM at multiple locations; reporting that the MTM vendor sending the survey link is the primary MTM vendor for which the respondent provides MTM; and the number of hours per week that the pharmacy is open. Conclusions Factors at the respondent (e.g., responses to facilitators scale) and pharmacy (e.g., pharmacy type) levels were associated with CMR completion rates. These findings could be used by MTM stakeholders to improve CMR completion rates

Retrospective Analysis of Medication Adherence and Cost Following Medication Therapy Management

Objective: To determine if pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) improves medication adherence in Medicare patients. A secondary objective is to compare the total monthly cost of a patient's prescription medication regimen 6 months before and 6 months following a comprehensive medication review (CMR). Design: Retrospective analysis of medication adherence, pre-post comparison. Setting: Three independent pharmacies in North Carolina. Patients: 97 Medicare Part D beneficiaries with one or more chronic disease states who participated in a comprehensive medication review (CMR). Intervention: MTM services provided by community pharmacists. Main outcome measure: Change in adherence as measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC) and change in medication costs for patients and third party payers. Results: Patients were adherent to chronic disease-state medications before and after MTM (PDC≥ 0.8). Overall, change in mean adherence before and after MTM did not change significantly (0.87 and 0.88, respectively; p = 0.43). However, patients taking medications for cholesterol management, GERD, thyroid and BPH demonstrated improved adherence following a CMR. No change in adherence was noted for patients using antihypertensives and antidiabetic agents. Average total chronic disease-state medication costs for participants were reduced from $210.74 to$193.63 (p=0.08) following the comprehensive medication review. Total costs for patient and third party payers decreased from patients prescribed antilipemics, antihypertensives, GERD and thyroid disorders following a CMR. Conclusions: Pharmacist-provided MTM services were effective at improving medication adherence for some patients managed with chronic medications. Pharmacist-provided MTM services also were effective in decreasing total medication costs. Type:&nbsp;Original Researc

Retrospective Analysis of Medication Adherence and Cost Following Medication Therapy Management

Objective: To determine if pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) improves medication adherence in Medicare patients. A secondary objective is to compare the total monthly cost of a patient's prescription medication regimen 6 months before and 6 months following a comprehensive medication review (CMR). Design: Retrospective analysis of medication adherence, pre-post comparison. Setting: Three independent pharmacies in North Carolina. Patients: 97 Medicare Part D beneficiaries with one or more chronic disease states who participated in a comprehensive medication review (CMR). Intervention: MTM services provided by community pharmacists. Main outcome measure: Change in adherence as measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC) and change in medication costs for patients and third party payers. Results: Patients were adherent to chronic disease-state medications before and after MTM (PDC≥ 0.8). Overall, change in mean adherence before and after MTM did not change significantly (0.87 and 0.88, respectively; p = 0.43). However, patients taking medications for cholesterol management, GERD, thyroid and BPH demonstrated improved adherence following a CMR. No change in adherence was noted for patients using antihypertensives and antidiabetic agents. Average total chronic disease-state medication costs for participants were reduced from $210.74 to$193.63 (p=0.08) following the comprehensive medication review. Total costs for patient and third party payers decreased from patients prescribed antilipemics, antihypertensives, GERD and thyroid disorders following a CMR. Conclusions: Pharmacist-provided MTM services were effective at improving medication adherence for some patients managed with chronic medications. Pharmacist-provided MTM services also were effective in decreasing total medication costs. Type:&nbsp;Original Researc

Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly: role of the pharmacist in a multidisciplinary health care team

Intensive glycemic control using insulin therapy may be appropriate for many healthy older adults to reduce premature mortality and morbidity, improve quality of life, and reduce health care costs. However, frail elderly people are more prone to develop complications from hypoglycemia, such as confusion and dementia. Overall, older persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than from intermittent hyperglycemia; therefore, diabetes management should always include CVD prevention and treatment in this patient population. Pharmacists can provide a comprehensive medication review with subsequent recommendations to individualize therapy based on medical and cognitive status. As part of the patient’s health care team, pharmacists can provide continuity of care and communication with other members of the patient’s health care team. In addition, pharmacists can act as educators and patient advocates and establish patient-specific goals to increase medication effectiveness, adherence to a medication regimen, and minimize the likelihood of adverse events

Implications of Health Reform for Community-Based Organizations

This brief is the third in a series on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Health Reform) and addresses elements that are significant to community health initiatives. Previous issues provided a high-level overview and covered state implications

Developing Medication Review Competency in Undergraduate Pharmacy Training: A Self-Assessment by Third-Year Students

Pharmacists are increasingly involved in medication history taking, medication reconciliation, and review in their daily practice. The objectives of this study were to investigate third-year pharmacy students’ self-assessed competency in medication reviews and gather their feedback for further development of medication review training in their curriculum. The study was conducted as a self-assessment of third-year pharmacy students at the completion of their second three-month internship period in a community pharmacy in 2017–2018. The students were assigned to review medications of a real patient under the supervision of a medication review accredited pharmacist during their internship. The self-assessment was carried out via an e-form, which was created for this study. Recently established national medication review competence recommendations for pharmacists were used as a reference. Students (n = 95, participation rate: 93%) self-assessed their competency as good or very good in 91% (n = 28) of the competency areas listed in the self-assessment. The highest proportion of competencies that were self-assessed as good or very good included using medication risk management databases and evaluating the clinical importance of the information (97%, n = 92). The lowest proportion of competencies was found in applying clinical information from the key laboratory tests to patient care and knowing which laboratory tests are most important to monitor in each condition and medication (36%, n = 34). The students suggested that their pharmacy education should contain more medication review assignments as group work and that an elective course on medication reviews should be compulsory for all pharmacy students

Medication therapy management delivery by community pharmacists: Insights from a national sample of Medicare Part D beneficiaries

IntroductionThe Medicare Part D medication therapy management (MTM) program positions pharmacists to optimize beneficiaries’ medications and improve care. Little is known regarding Part D MTM delivery by community pharmacists and other pharmacist provider types.ObjectivesTo (a) characterize Medicare Part D MTM delivery by community pharmacists, (b) compare MTM delivery by community pharmacists to other pharmacists, and (c) generate hypotheses for future research.MethodsA descriptive cross‐sectional study using merged data from a 20% random sample of Medicare beneficiary enrollment data with a 100% sample of recently available 2014 Part D MTM files was conducted. Andersen’s Behavioral Model was applied to describe MTM delivery across beneficiary characteristics. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to compare delivery of MTM between community and other pharmacist providers.ResultsAmong beneficiaries sampled, community pharmacists provided comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) to 22% (n = 26 337) of beneficiaries receiving at least one CMR. Almost half (49.4%) were provided face‐to‐face. Across pharmacist cohorts, median days to CMR offer of post‐MTM program enrollment were within the 60‐day policy requirement. The community pharmacist cohort had fewer days from CMR offer to receipt (median 47 days). Community pharmacists provided more medication therapy problem (MTP) recommendations (mean [SD] of 1.8 [3.5]; P < .001), but resolved less MTPs (0.2 [0.7]; P < .001), and most commonly served beneficiaries that were in the south but less in the west/northeast. Additionally, community pharmacists served a smaller proportion of black beneficiaries, yet a larger proportion of Hispanic beneficiaries (P < .001).ConclusionCommunity pharmacists provided approximately one in five CMRs for MTM eligible beneficiaries in 2014, with CMRs occurring more quickly, resulting in more MTP recommendations, but resolving less MTPs than those provided by noncommunity pharmacists. Future research should explore geographic/racial‐ethnic disparities in beneficiaries served and strategies to increase negligible MTP resolution by community pharmacists.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151286/1/jac51160.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151286/2/jac51160_am.pd

Evaluation of a pharmacist-led medication assessment used to identify prevalence of and associations with polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use among ambulatory senior adults with cancer.

PURPOSE: The use of multiple and/or inappropriate medications in seniors is a significant public health problem, and cancer treatment escalates its prevalence and complexity. Existing studies are limited by patient self-report and medical record extraction compared with a pharmacist-led comprehensive medication assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined medication use in ambulatory senior adults with cancer to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy (PP) and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and associated factors. PP was defined as concurrent use of five or more and less than 10 medications, and excessive polypharmacy (EPP) was defined as 10 or more medications. PIMs were categorized by 2012 Beers Criteria, Screening Tool of Older Person\u27s Prescriptions (STOPP), and the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). RESULTS: A total of 248 patients received a geriatric oncology assessment between January 2011 and June 2013 (mean age was 79.9 years, 64% were women, 74% were white, and 87% had solid tumors). Only 234 patients (evaluated by pharmacists) were included in the final analysis. Mean number of medications used was 9.23. The prevalence of PP, EPP, and PIM use was 41% (n = 96), 43% (n = 101), and 51% (n = 119), respectively. 2012 Beers, STOPP, and HEDIS criteria classified 173 occurrences of PIMs, which were present in 40%, 38%, and 21% of patients, respectively. Associations with PIM use were PP (P \u3c .001) and increased comorbidities (P = .005). CONCLUSION: A pharmacist-led comprehensive medication assessment demonstrated a high prevalence of PP, EPP, and PIM use. Medication assessments that integrate both 2012 Beers and STOPP criteria and consider cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and cancer-related therapy are needed to optimize medication use in this population