Deprescribing medications among patients with multiple prescribers: A socioecological model.

Deprescribing is the intentional dose reduction or discontinuation of a medication. The development of deprescribing interventions should take into consideration important organizational, interprofessional, and patient-specific barriers that can be further complicated by the presence of multiple prescribers involved in a patient's care. Patients who receive care from an increasing number of prescribers may experience disruptions in the timely transfer of relevant healthcare information, increasing the risk of exposure to drug-drug interactions and other medication-related problems. Furthermore, the fragmentation of healthcare information across health systems can contribute to the refilling of discontinued medications, reducing the effectiveness of deprescribing interventions. Thus, deprescribing interventions must carefully consider the unique characteristics of patients and their prescribers to ensure interventions are successfully implemented. In this special article, an international working group of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, epidemiologists, and researchers from the United States Deprescribing Research Network (USDeN) developed a socioecological model to understand how multiple prescribers may influence the implementation of a deprescribing intervention at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal level. This manuscript also includes a description of the concept of multiple prescribers and outlines a research agenda for future investigations to consider. The information contained in this manuscript should be used as a framework for future deprescribing interventions to carefully consider how multiple prescribers can influence the successful implementation of the service and ensure the intervention is as effective as possible.

Medication adherence in Medicare-enrolled older adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Medication adherence in Medicare-enrolled older adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unknown. Objectives: To evaluate medication adherence and determinants of high adherence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in this population. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: The proportion of days covered (PDC) reflected medication adherence from January to July 2019 and from January to July 2020. Patients <65 years of age, with COPD or asthma alone, or with cystic fibrosis were excluded. Paired t tests were used to assess adherence changes. Logistic regression explored association of age, sex, diagnosis of depression, number of medications, medication-related problems, prescribers, pharmacies, controller medication classes, albuterol rescue inhaler fills, oral corticosteroid fills, and having a 90-day supply with high adherence (PDC ⩾ 80%). Results: This analysis included 989 patients. In this cohort, 61.2% of patients received oral corticosteroids. Over 60% of patients had ⩾3 rescue fills in both 2019 and 2020. Medication adherence to controller medications significantly decreased for all controller medications (p < 0.001) in 2020. In 2019 and 2020, number of controller medication classes and having a 90-day supply were associated with high adherence (p < 0.001). In 2019, variables associated with high adherence also included number of medication-related problems and having ⩾3 albuterol rescue inhalers (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Medication adherence to controllers significantly decreased during the pandemic among older adults with asthma and COPD. Patients with multiple controller classes and a 90-day supply were more likely to be highly adherent. A 90-day supply of medications should be used to facilitate access to medication during the pandemic. Healthcare professionals should assess medication adherence, resolve the barriers of adherence and medication-related problems to achieve desired clinical outcomes among older adults with both asthma and COPD.

Urine Drug Test Results Among Adolescents and Young Adults in an Outpatient Office-Based Opioid Treatment Program.

PURPOSE: Urine drug testing (UDT) is an important feature of outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder, but associations with patient characteristics among adolescent and young adult patients are unknown. This study assessed UDT results in office-based opioid treatment and characteristics associated with treatment compliance. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of adolescent and young adult patients enrolled in office-based opioid treatment between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2020. UDT results were described as positive results or expected and unexpected results. Expected results were negative UDTs for opioids, marijuana (THC [tetrahydrocannabinol]), or cocaine/methamphetamine, or a positive UDT for buprenorphine. Unexpected results were positive UDTs for opioids, THC, or cocaine/methamphetamine, or a negative UDT for buprenorphine. Treatment compliance was defined as ≥75% of UDTs provided being expected results. Counts and percentages described UDT results. Regressions evaluated associations between patient characteristics (retention time, age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, and comorbid mental health diagnoses) with treatment compliance, and assessed change of positivity rates for UDTs over time. RESULTS: A total of 407 patients were included. Overall, 305 patients (74.9%) demonstrated treatment compliance. Rates of expected UDT results increased with longer retention time (p <.001), except for methamphetamine. Buprenorphine expected results ranged from 77.0% to 96.5%. Diagnosis of stimulant use disorder was associated with decreased compliance (p = .04), while diagnoses of depression, anxiety, nicotine use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder were associated with increased compliance (p ≤.04). DISCUSSION: Proportion of expected UDT results increased with retention time. Diagnosis of specific mental health conditions affected treatment compliance. Further research regarding long-term health outcomes is needed.

Retention in Office-Based Opioid Treatment and Impact on Emergency Department Use in Adolescents and Young Adults With Opioid Use Disorder.

PURPOSE: Longer retention in medication treatment (MT) of addiction is associated with improved health outcomes among adults with opioid use disorder. MT remains underutilized among adolescents and young adults (AYA); factors associated with MT retention are not well-defined and effect of retention on treatment outcomes is unknown. This study examined patient characteristics associated with retention in an office-based opioid treatment program for AYA patients and determined the impact of retention time on emergency department (ED) utilization. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of AYA patients from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2020. Retention time was the difference between first and last appointment, analyzing follow-up periods of one and two years. Linear regression assessed factors associated with retention. Negative binomial regression showed effect of retention on ED utilization. RESULTS: A total of 407 patients were included. Factors positively associated with retention were diagnosis of anxiety, depression, and nicotine use disorder, White race, private insurance, and Medicaid insurance; however, stimulant/cocaine use disorder was negatively associated (one-year follow-up, p ≤ .028; two-year follow-up, p ≤ .017). Longer retention was associated with reduced risk of ED utilization at one-year (incident rate ratio = 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.99; p = .03) and two-year follow-ups (incident rate ratio = 0.86 95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.96; p = .008). DISCUSSION: Diagnosis of anxiety, depression, nicotine use disorder, and stimulant/cocaine use disorder, and insurance and race can influence retention in MT. Longer retention in MT was associated with lower ED visits, decreasing health care utilization. MT programs should evaluate various interventions to optimize opportunities for increasing retention among their patient cohorts.

Telehealth Intervention to Improve Uptake of Evidence-Based Medications among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Failure or Cardiovascular Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists are recommended for patients with type two diabetes (T2D) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or heart failure (HF) to reduce cardiovascular-related mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate a telehealth targeted medication review (TMR) program to identify patients for uptake of these evidence-based medications. METHODS: This was an observational descriptive study of a TMR program for Medicare-enrolled, Medication Therapy Management-eligible patients in one insurance plan. Prescription claims and patient interviews identified individuals who would benefit from SGLT-2 inhibitors or GLP-1 agonists. Facsimiles were sent to providers of patients with educational information about the targeted medications. Descriptive statistics described characteristics and proportion of patients prescribed targeted medications after 120 days. Bivariate statistical tests evaluated associations between age, sex, number of medications, number of providers, and poverty level with adoption of targeted medications. RESULTS: A total of 1106 of 1127 had a facsimile sent to their provider after a conversation with the patient. Among patients with a provider facsimile, 69 (6%) patients filled a prescription for a targeted medication after 120 days. There was a significant difference in age between individuals who started a targeted medication (67 ± 10 years) compared with patients who did not (71 ± 10 years) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A TMR efficiently identified patients with T2D and ASCVD or HF who would benefit from evidence-based medications. Although younger patients were more likely to receive these medications, the overall uptake of these medications within four months of the intervention was lower than expected.

Gaps in Evidence-based Treatment of Concurrent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the effectiveness of medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). DATA SOURCES: Literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar was performed for studies published from inception to October 25, 2022. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Studies were included if patients were diagnosed with OUD and ADHD and had pharmacotherapy for either condition. Abstracts, commentaries, reviews, case reports, case series, non-English articles, and animal studies were omitted. DATA SYNTHESIS: This review found 18 studies. Treatment of ADHD was evaluated for impact on ADHD and OUD outcomes, while treatment of OUD was evaluated for OUD-related outcomes. Outcomes assessed included markers for symptom intensity, adherence, and treatment failure. While results were mixed, treatment of ADHD was largely associated with improvements in ADHD severity and retention in OUD treatment programs. ADHD severity was associated with higher rates of illicit substance abuse and worse OUD-related outcomes. It could not be determined which medications for treatment of OUD should be prioritized. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review summarized key findings from studies that treated ADHD or OUD among dually diagnosed patients and highlighted methodological considerations for future research. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ADHD is warranted among patients with OUD and ADHD to improve retention in OUD treatment programs and reduce illicit substance abuse. Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of ADHD or OUD should continue to be determined based on patients' characteristics and the capabilities of the treatment program.

High opioid doses, naloxone, and central nervous system active medications received by Medicare-enrolled adults.

BACKGROUND: A limited number of studies have analyzed prescribing among Medicare-enrolled adults at risk for opioid overdoses. The objectives of this study were to evaluate prescribing for naloxone and central nervous system (CNS) active medications and to determine the relationships of patient characteristics with exposure to these medications. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of a Medicare-enrolled medication therapy management eligible cohort. Patients were stratified into two cohorts, individuals with a mean daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) dose <50 and individuals with MME ≥50. Medications assessed included benzodiazepines, skeletal muscle relaxants (SMR), hypnotics, gabapentanoids, selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), antipsychotics, barbiturates, other antiepileptics, hydroxyzine, and naloxone. Chi-square with odds ratios and logistic regressions determined the relationships of medications and patient characteristics with mean daily MME ≥50. Relationship between medications and opioid dose was adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: There were 3452 patients with a daily MME <50 and 1116 with a daily MME ≥50. After adjusting for age and sex, patients with a daily MME ≥50 were more likely to be prescribed hypnotics (OR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.17-1.70), SNRIs (OR: 1.39, 95% CI 1.17-1.64), and naloxone (OR: 3.21, 95% CI 2.49-4.12) (p < 0.001). Nine percent of eligible patients received naloxone. Age groups of persons <85 years of age had 1.58-4.04 (p ≤ 0.004) times the odds of being prescribed a mean daily MME ≥50. CONCLUSION: Nearly one-fourth of patients were prescribed a mean daily opioid therapy of MME ≥50. These patients were more likely to be prescribed hypnotics, SNRIs, and naloxone. Patients receiving chronic high-dose opioid therapy were more likely to be in age groups of persons <85 years. Naloxone may be underprescribed among eligible adults. Targeted medication services may ensure optimal prescribing among Medicare patients with chronic opioid therapies.

Effects of Adjuvant Medications on A1C, Body Mass Index, and Insulin Requirements among Patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that noninsulin medications used to treat type 2 diabetes can improve health outcomes among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study assessed the effects of adjuvant diabetes medications on glycated hemoglobin (A1C), body mass index (BMI), or total daily insulin (TDI) among patients with T1D in a real-world setting. This was an analysis of the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry, using the study periods of 2010−2012, 2015−2016, and 2016−2017, to assess differences in A1C, BMI, and TDI between patients with and without adjuvant medications. The relationships between characteristics and A1C in 2015−2016 and 2016−2017 were determined. Analysis included 517 patients in the adjuvant medication cohort and 4968 in the insulin-only cohort. No significant improvement in A1C was observed. A significant difference in BMI and TDI between the insulin-only (median BMI: 25.5, 26.2, 26.4 and median TDI: 45, 44 units) and adjuvant medication cohorts (median BMI: 29.8, 30.5, 30.5 and median TDI: 51, 52 units) (p < 0.001) was observed. Patients with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), higher education level, higher annual income, and older age were associated with lower A1C (p ≤ 0.001). Higher BMI and self-description as African American/Black were associated with higher A1C (p ≤ 0.01). Insulin pump use was associated with lower A1C (p < 0.01) in 2015−2016. Patients who used adjuvant medications did not demonstrate significant improvement in disease control. These data suggest that findings from well-designed research studies may not be consistently reproducible in real-world settings, due to patient-specific factors.

Clinical Utility of Medication-Based Risk Scores to Reduce Polypharmacy and Potentially Avoidable Healthcare Utilization.

The management of multiple chronic health conditions often requires patients to be exposed to polypharmacy to improve their health and enhance their quality of life. However, exposure to polypharmacy has been associated with an increased risk for adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, inappropriate prescribing, medication nonadherence, increased healthcare utilization such as emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and costs. Medication-based risk scores have been utilized to identify patients who may benefit from deprescribing interventions and reduce rates of inappropriate prescribing. These risk scores may also be utilized to prompt targeted discussions between patients and providers regarding medications or medication classes contributing to an individual's risk for harm, eventually leading to the deprescribing of the offending medication(s). This opinion will describe existing medication-based risk scores in the literature, their utility in identifying patients at risk for specific adverse events, and how they may be incorporated in healthcare settings to reduce rates of potentially inappropriate polypharmacy and avoidable healthcare utilization and costs.

Medication adherence in Medicare-enrolled older adults with asthma before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding medication adherence in older adults with asthma before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medication adherence and determine factors associated with adherence in Medicare-enrolled older adults with asthma before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of Medicare-enrolled patients with asthma. Medication adherence was measured using rates of proportion of days covered for dates January to July 2019 and January to July 2020. Patients less than 65 years of age, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or with cystic fibrosis were excluded. Paired t tests assessed change in adherence between 2019 and 2020. Logistic regression evaluated association of age, sex, depression, moderate or severe asthma, use of a 90-day supply, having 3 or more albuterol fills, number of medications, medication-related problems, prescribers, pharmacies, controller medication classes, and systemic corticosteroid fills with high adherence (proportion of days covered ≥ 80%). RESULTS: Mean adherence to asthma controller medications ranged from 75% to 90%, in 2019. Adherence significantly decreased (P < .001) from 51% to 70% for all controller medications, except theophylline in 2020. Similar results were observed among patients with moderate or severe asthma. In 2019 and 2020, number of controller medications, 3 or more albuterol fills, and having a 90-day supply were associated with high adherence (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Adherence to asthma controller medications decreased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic among Medicare-enrolled patients with asthma. Patients with markers for more severe asthma, overuse of albuterol, and a 90-day supply of controller medications were more likely to have high adherence. These findings can be used to identify opportunities to improve adherence and prescribing among adult patients with asthma.

Evidence Needed for Efficacy of Antidepressant Medications Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience pain from inflammation, joint destruction, and neuropathy. Antidepressants may play a role among patients with RA and depression, fibromyalgia, or neuropathy to achieve desired outcomes. This commentary evaluated evidence for medications individually and identified important variables for future research. While we await the results of well-designed studies, a trial of duloxetine or milnacipran may be considered for patients with remnant pain and RA remission. Research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants in patients with RA and associated comorbid conditions.

Implementing Clinical Decision Support Tools and Pharmacovigilance to Reduce the Use of Potentially Harmful Medications and Health Care Costs in Adults With Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, compromised quality of life and socioeconomic burden worldwide. This chronic condition is becoming an increasingly important concern given the increased prevalence of HF among aging populations. Significant contributors toward escalating health care costs are emergency room visits and hospitalizations associated with HF. An important strategy to improve health care outcomes and reduce unnecessary costs is to identify and reduce the prescribing of potentially harmful medications (PHMs) among adults with HF. Previous studies in patients with HF found roughly 10-50% of them were prescribed at least one PHM in ambulatory care and inpatient health care settings. This opinion highlights recent findings from studies assessing prevalence of PHMs, associations between PHM prescribing and characteristics, and what can be done to improve patient outcomes and reduce the use of PHMs and associated health care costs in adults with HF.

Potentially Inappropriately Prescribed Medications Among Medicare Medication Therapy Management Eligible Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: an Observational Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Potentially inappropriately prescribed medications (PIPMs) among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may vary among clinical settings. Rates of PIPM are unknown among Medicare-enrolled Medication Therapy Management (MTM) eligible patients. OBJECTIVES: Determine prevalence of PIPM among patients with CKD and evaluate characteristics of patients and providers associated with PIPM. DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional investigation of a Medicare insurance plan for the year 2018. PATIENTS: Medicare-enrolled MTM eligible patients with stage 3-5 CKD. MAIN MEASURES: PIPM was identified utilizing a tertiary database. Logistic regression assessed relationship between patient characteristics and PIPM. KEY RESULTS: Investigation included 3624 CKD patients: 2856 (79%), 548 (15%), and 220 (6%) patients with stage 3, 4, and 5 CKD, respectively. Among patients with stage 3, stage 4, and stage 5 CKD, 618, 430, and 151 were with at least one PIPM, respectively. Logistic regression revealed patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD had 7-14 times the odds of having a PIPM in comparison to patients with stage 3 disease (p < 0.001). Regression also found PIPM was associated with increasing number of years qualified for MTM (odds ratio (OR) 1.46-1.74, p ≤ 0.005), female gender (OR 1.25, p = 0.008), and increasing polypharmacy (OR 1.30-1.57, p ≤ 0.01). Approximately 14% of all medications (2879/21093) were considered PIPM. Majority of PIPMs (62%) were prescribed by physician primary care providers (PCPs). Medications with the greatest percentage of PIPM were spironolactone, canagliflozin, sitagliptin, levetiracetam, alendronate, pregabalin, pravastatin, fenofibrate, metformin, gabapentin, famotidine, celecoxib, naproxen, meloxicam, rosuvastatin, diclofenac, and ibuprofen. CONCLUSION: Over one-third of Medicare MTM eligible patients with CKD presented with at least one PIPM. Worsening renal function, length of MTM eligibility, female gender, and polypharmacy were associated with having PIPM. Majority of PIPMs were prescribed by PCPs. Clinical decision support tools may be considered to potentially reduce PIPM among Medicare MTM-enrolled patients with CKD.

Impact of Telehealth Interventions on Medication Adherence for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, and/or Dyslipidemia: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To describe telehealth interventions and determine their effect on medication adherence for patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia. DATA SOURCES: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, Academic Search Ultimate, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Scopus, Web of Science, WHO Global Index Medicus, association websites, and gray literature were searched from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2019. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Eligible studies reported eHealth, mobile health, and telehealth interventions for adult patients prescribed medications for chronic condition management (eg, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia). Studies were required to evaluate medication adherence outcomes (eg, medication possession ratio [MPR], proportion of days covered (PDC)]. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and controlled before-and-after studies were included. Multiple reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated risk of bias. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 8693 studies identified, 13 reported either an MPR or PDC and were included in the systematic review. The systematic review demonstrated that electronic health (eHealth) and telehealth interventions were successful at improving medication adherence, whereas mobile health interventions did not improve medication adherence. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: This systematic review highlighted the available research and findings of studies assessing interventions to improve medication nonadherence among patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia. The evaluated findings lend support to the need for targeted medication adherence interventions based on patient population and practice settings. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth modalities include telephonic outreach and specialized tools designed to increase health literacy. eHealth and telehealth medication adherence interventions were associated with improved MPR and/or PDC rates.

Reprint of: The role of the pharmacist in mental health: An investigation of the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on psychotropic medication adherence in patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of targeted telepharmacist mental health adherence interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This retrospective review involved the analysis of a telepharmacist-led mental health intervention. The subjects included: patients aged 18 years or more with type 2 diabetes, enrolled in an adherence service and who had been prescribed psychotropics. Psychotropic medication adherence was measured using the proportion of days covered (PDC) 6 months before and after the telepharmacist-led medication intervention. RESULTS: A total of 8167 patients (67% women), with a mean age of 63 ± 11 years, were included in the study. Most alerts for psychotropics were for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (53%, n = 4334), selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (22%, n = 1775), second-generation antipsychotics (11%, n = 909), and bupropion (10%, n = 782). Alerts with the greatest volume of PDCs (above 85%) at postintervention follow up included SSRIs (51%, n = 2228), SNRIs (50%, n = 884), and second-generation antipsychotics (47%, n = 424). Before the alert, the mean PDC was 66% ± 12% across all medications studied. Post intervention, the mean PDC rose to 79% ± 19. A paired t-test revealed statistically significant improvement in adherence overall, with the greatest change observed in these alert groups: SSRIs (P < 0.001), alpha-2 antagonist (P < 0.001), SNRIs (P < 0.001), and bupropion (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This retrospective review showed that pharmacist-led targeted, adherence interventions greatly improved psychotropic medication adherence in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Future work is warranted to investigate the impact on type 2 diabetes medication adherence and health markers (e.g., HbA1c values) in larger and more diverse populations of patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes and a mental health condition.

A Research Partnership to Enhance Postgraduate Pharmacy Residency Training Outcomes.

Pharmacy residents must complete research as part of their program; however, challenges exist in providing experiences that result in successful research dissemination outcomes. A university-based research team, integrated into an ambulatory care pharmacy residency program aimed to improve presentation and publication rates of pharmacy resident research projects. Data on the number of postgraduate year-2 (PGY2) residents and their productivity were collected and summarized to assess progress. A total of 13 residents completed their residency over seven years. Each resident produced one regional presentation, and one national presentation beginning in year four. To date, three peer-reviewed papers have been published, with another one in-press. Responses from residents found lack of guidance, lack of data availability for projects and feedback fatigue were barriers to a positive research experience. To address these problems, a university-based research team was integrated to provide research mentor guided support, ensure study feasibility, and provide structured feedback. This program evaluation highlighted the integration of a PGY2 ambulatory care pharmacy residency with a designated, interprofessional university-based research team. Future work is warranted to reduce research-related barriers and formally evaluate resident post-program knowledge, skills, and subsequent dissemination rates.

Relationship between patient characteristics and number of phone calls to complete a telehealth comprehensive medication review: A cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between patient characteristics and completion of telehealth comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of a national telehealth medication therapy management program. A negative binomial regression assessed the relationship between number of phone calls to complete a CMR and age, sex, number of medications, poverty level, geographic region, limited English proficiency (LEP), years eligible for CMR services, and if a caregiver completed the CMR. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients included in the analysis were Medicare enrolled, medication therapy management eligible, and completed a CMR in 2017. Patients excluded if they were younger than 65 years, they had incomplete data, they had participated in an employer-sponsored plan, or completed a CMR with their provider. OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of phone calls reflected number of outgoing phone calls needed to complete a CMR. RESULTS: Analysis included 222,163 patients. Females needed 9% more calls to complete a CMR than males (incident rate ratio 1.09 [95% CI 1.08-1.10]). Adults older than 75 years compared with patients between age 65 and 74 years needed 7% fewer calls (0.93 [0.92-0.94]). Patients needing a caregiver to complete the CMR required 33% more calls than individuals who did not (1.33 [1.31-1.35]). Patients eligible for CMR services longer than 1 year required 12%-45% fewer calls to complete a CMR than recently eligible patients. A statistically significant interaction was detected between LEP and poverty quintile. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that poverty level inversely affected the number of phone calls to complete a CMR between those considered LEP and English language-speakers. Female sex and caregiver presence were associated with number of phone calls needed to complete a CMR. Older age and length of CMR eligibility were inversely associated with the number of phone calls needed. Future research is warranted to evaluate whether targeted approaches may improve CMR completion rates.

Impact of Automated Targeted Medication Review Electronic Alerts to Reduce Potentially Inappropriate Medication Prescribing Among Medicare Enrolled Patients With Dementia.

BACKGROUND: Background:Finding ways to reduce prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among patients with dementia is necessary. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an automated targeted medication review (TMR) service to reduce PIM prescribing among patients with dementia. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational analysis of patients in a Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program for year 2017. Patients included if Medicare enrolled, MTM eligible, had dementia, and with PIM prescribing. Descriptive statistics described reduced PIM prescribing. Odds ratios (ORs) assessed prescriber relationship with PIM prescribing. Regression evaluated relationship between patient characteristics and discontinued PIMs. RESULTS: A total of 33 696 TMRs were triggered for 17 933 patients. Four months later, 11 608 TMRs led to a discontinued PIM among 8002 patients. Medications with the largest discontinuations were antihistamines (56%), muscle relaxants (53%), antiemetics (53%), and typical antipsychotics (40%). Physician primary care providers (PCPs) were more likely than nonphysician PCPs (OR = 4.54; 95% CI = 4.15-4.97; P < 0.001), psychiatrists (OR = 1.64; 95%CI = 1.44-1.86; P < 0.001), and neurologists (OR = 4.48; 95% CI = 4.07-4.93; P < 0.001) to prescribe medications to treat dementia and PIMs. Regression showed that younger age, female gender, higher poverty level, and a greater number of pharmacies, medications, and prescribers were associated with discontinued PIMs. Conclusions and Relevance: TMRs were effective in reducing PIM prescribing. Younger patients, individuals living in higher poverty levels, and patients with multiple prescribers or pharmacies may benefit most from this service. TMRs in primary care offices may reduce PIM prescribing.

The role of the pharmacist in mental health: An investigation of the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on psychotropic medication adherence in patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of targeted telepharmacist mental health adherence interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This retrospective review involved the analysis of a telepharmacist-led mental health intervention. The subjects included: patients aged 18 years or more with type 2 diabetes, enrolled in an adherence service and who had been prescribed psychotropics. Psychotropic medication adherence was measured using the proportion of days covered (PDC) 6 months before and after the telepharmacist-led medication intervention. RESULTS: A total of 8167 patients (67% women), with a mean age of 63 ± 11 years, were included in the study. Most alerts for psychotropics were for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (53%, n = 4334), selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (22%, n = 1775), second-generation antipsychotics (11%, n = 909), and bupropion (10%, n = 782). Alerts with the greatest volume of PDCs (above 85%) at postintervention follow up included SSRIs (51%, n = 2228), SNRIs (50%, n = 884), and second-generation antipsychotics (47%, n = 424). Before the alert, the mean PDC was 66% ± 12% across all medications studied. Post intervention, the mean PDC rose to 79% ± 19. A paired t-test revealed statistically significant improvement in adherence overall, with the greatest change observed in these alert groups: SSRIs (P < 0.001), alpha-2 antagonist (P < 0.001), SNRIs (P < 0.001), and bupropion (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This retrospective review showed that pharmacist-led targeted, adherence interventions greatly improved psychotropic medication adherence in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Future work is warranted to investigate the impact on type 2 diabetes medication adherence and health markers (e.g., HbA1c values) in larger and more diverse populations of patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes and a mental health condition.