Multicenter Study of Nonadherence to Self-Injectable Biologic Therapy in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Risk Factors and Outcomes.

Background and Aims: This study aimed to evaluate adherence to subcutaneous biologic therapy and impact of nonadherence including risk factors and outcomes in academic centers with integrated specialty pharmacies for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort analysis of patients aged ≥18 years receiving care in 3 tertiary care outpatient IBD clinics with integrated specialty pharmacies. Subjects were prescribed injectable anti-TNF therapy (adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab) or anti-IL 12/23 therapy (ustekinumab) with at least 3 consecutive prescription claims. The primary outcomes were medication possession ratio (MPR), percent achieving optimal adherence (MPR > 0.86); in addition, we sought to verify a prior risk factor model including smoking status, narcotic use, psychiatric history, and prior biologic use. Secondary outcomes included emergency department visits (ED) and IBD-related hospitalizations. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcox rank sum test, Pearson's Chi-squared test, and logistic regression model as an unordered, factor variable to flexibly estimate the probabilities of adherence. Results: Six hundred eight subjects were included. Overall median MPR was 0.95 (interquartile range 0.47, 1) and adherence was 68%-70%. When the number of risk factors for nonadherence increased, the likelihood of nonadherence increased (P < .05). In unadjusted and adjusted analysis, nonadherence increased the likelihood of ED visits [rate ratio 1.45 (95% confidence interval 1.05, 1.97)] and hospitalizations [rate ratio 1.60 (95% confidence interval 1.16, 2.10)]. Conclusion: Academic centers with integrated pharmacies had high adherence. Prior risk factors for nonadherence remained significant in this multicenter model. Nonadherence was associated with higher likelihood of hospitalizations and ED visits.

Public Health and Pharmacy Partnerships in Opioid Harm Reduction: Responding to Community Needs.

BACKGROUND: Minnesota pharmacists were encouraged to utilize legislation allowing them to dispense naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, without prescription. Unfortunately, this legislation has not been utilized widely resulting in preventable death. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine how a partnership between public health and academic pharmacy could facilitate community pharmacists' naloxone dispensing. METHODS: Pharmacy and public health professionals collaborated in two counties to identify ways to support naloxone dispensing. Community pharmacies in these areas were provided with multidisciplinary support in naloxone and naloxone protocol education; dispensing measures were tracked before and throughout the study. RESULTS: Through partnerships between public health and pharmacy, naloxone dispensing measures increased. In-person visits with a public health or pharmacy advocate were associated with increased protocol uptake, dispensing, and naloxone stocking. CONCLUSIONS: Support from public health professionals and pharmacists in partnership shows great promise in increasing naloxone protocols and dispensing in a community pharmacy setting.

Rural Emergency Medical Service Providers Perceptions on the Causes of and Solutions to the Opioid Crisis: A Qualitative Assessment.

INTRODUCTION: The continuing opioid crisis poses unique challenges to remote and often under-resourced rural communities. Emergency medical service (EMS) providers serve a critical role in responding to opioid overdose for individuals living in rural or remote areas who experience opioid overdoses. They are often first at the scene of an overdose and are sometimes the only health care provider in contact with an overdose patient who either did not survive or refused additional care. As such, EMS providers have valuable perspectives to share on the causes and consequences of the opioid crisis in rural communities. METHODS: EMS providers attending a statewide EMS conference serving those from greater Minnesota and surrounding states were invited to take a 2-question survey asking them to reflect upon what they believed to be the causes of the opioid crisis and what they saw as the solutions to the opioid crisis. Results were coded and categorized using a Consensual Qualitative Research approach. RESULTS: EMS providers' perceptions on causes of the opioid crisis were categorized into 5 main domains: overprescribing, ease of access, socioeconomic vulnerability, mental health concerns, and lack of resources and education. Responses focused on solutions to address the opioid crisis were categorized into 5 main domains: need for increased education, enhanced opioid oversight, increased access to treatment programs, alternative therapies for pain management, and addressing socioeconomic vulnerabilities. CONCLUSION: Along with the recognition that the opioid crisis was at least partially caused by overprescribing, rural EMS providers who participated in this study recognized the critical role of social determinants of health in perpetuating opioid-related harm. Participants in this study reported that education and increased access to treatment facilities and appropriate pain management, along with recognition of the role of social determinants of health in opioid dependency, were necessary steps to address the opioid crisis.