Innovative, centralised, multidisciplinary medicines optimisation clinic for PCSK9 inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9is) are an important but underutilised option to help optimise lipid management. We developed a new service to improve patient access to these medicines in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendations. This paper describes the model and provides lipid-lowering results and feedback from the first 100 referred patients. METHODS: The service is based on a centralised multidisciplinary clinic that is the sole prescriber of PCSK9i therapy in the area. Referred patients are assessed for eligibility and given tailored, person-centred support, education and monitoring to promote treatment adherence and lipids optimisation. The clinic also supports referred patients that do not meet PCSK9i eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Among the first 100 patients referred (n=62 male; mean age: 62.9±10.5 years), 48 were initiated on PCSK9i therapy. Mean total cholesterol decreased from 7.7±1.6 mmol/L at baseline to 4.5±1.4 mmol/L at 3 months (41% reduction), while mean low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) fell from 5.0±1.6 mmol/L to 2.1±1.3 mmol/L (58% reduction; p<0.0001) and median LDL-C decreased from 4.8 mmol/L to 1.6 mmol/L (67% reduction) over the same period. These decreases were maintained at 12 months (45%, 65% and 67% reductions, respectively; p<0.0001 for the decrease in mean LDL-C from baseline). Patient feedback on the clinic was positive and overall satisfaction was high. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative, person-centred, multidisciplinary service successfully initiated PCSK9i therapy for eligible patients and drove long-term monitoring, adherence and cholesterol lowering. It also provided medicines optimisation and adherence assistance to PCSK9i-ineligible patients. The model could be used in other areas to support better uptake and optimisation of PCSK9i therapy.

An integrative review on facilitators and barriers in delivering and managing injectable therapies in chronic conditions: A part of the ACNAP project 'injectable medicines among patients with cardiovascular conditions'.

INTRODUCTION: Although preventive health and therapeutics have benefited from advances in drug development and device innovation, translating these evidence-based treatments into real-world practice remains challenging. AIM: The current integrative review aims to identify facilitators and barriers and perceptions in delivering and managing injectable therapies from patient perspectives. METHODS: An integrative review was conducted in the databases of PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane. Keywords were used "Injectable therapy", "IV therapy", "SC therapy", "long term injectable therapies", "self-administered injectable therapy", "patients", "caregivers", "family", "carers", "facilitators", "barriers", "perspectives", "needs", "expectations", "chronic disease", "cardiovascular disease" linked with the words "OR" and "AND". The search was limited from January 2000 to July 2019. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used. RESULTS: Twenty studies were identified from the literature search. Studies followed qualitative, quantitative methodology and mixed methods. Facilitators included: health improvement, prevention of disease complications, taking control of their disease, effectiveness of the medication and convenience in management. Barriers included: fear of needles, insulin will cause harm, poor perception of the benefits of injectable therapies on their quality of life, inconvenience in self-management, social stigma, impact on daily living, financial barriers, lack of education. Perceptions included: 'treatment of last resort', 'life becomes less flexible', 'injectables were punishment/restriction', 'personal failure of self-management'. CONCLUSION: Evidence shows how to create effective communication and shared decision-making relationships to provide best possible care to patients who need injectable therapy and support for self-management. Future research might help guide response to the fears and barriers of the patients using patients' perspectives.