Pharmaceutical care and evaluation of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy (HAART) depends on optimal adherence to be effective. Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up can be used as a strategy for treatment fidelity. To provide pharmaceutical care for HAART patients, to assess adherence, to identify and resolve drug related problems (DRP). This is a prospective, interventional study aimed at people on HAART. Data was collected using the pharmacotherapeutic follow-up form and CEAT-VIH. There was a predominance of women (59%), older than 33 years (75%), mostly single (43%). Regarding adherence, 64% had insufficient adherence at the start of the study, while 36% had strict/adequate adherence. After the pharmacotherapeutic follow-up, 70% presented strict/adequate adherence. Regarding HAART, the relationship between adhesion versus time of HAART and adherence versus regimen used was significant, considering that less time of therapy and regimen containing protease inhibitors are predictors for insufficient adherence. Regarding the DRP identified (f=77), missed pills (32%), untreated disease, incorrect management frequency, and undue self-medication (12%) were the most frequent. Pharmaceutical interventions (f=137) were predominantly advising related to specific pharmacological treatment (32%), non-pharmacological measures (20%), and medication suspension (9%). Pharmaceutical care was shown to be animportant strategy, within the multi professional team, to improve adherence, besides identifying and resolving DRP.

Innovation in Pharmaceutical Assistance

Abstract Innovation is the driving force that is able to create and transform products, processes, and organization in the health system. Innovation in the field of pharmaceutical assistance covers a wide spectrum of aspects, from drug discovery to pharmaceutical care, contributing to the improvement in treatments through novel drugs or methods. This work will present the major characteristics of innovation with special emphasis on aspects pertaining to pharmaceutical assistance. The types and models of innovation, as well as the interaction between academia and industry, will be presented with examples of successful products and methods. In addition, the challenges and perspectives for innovation in pharmaceutical assistance will be discussed with a focus on drug discovery.

Profile of pharmaceutical care in primary health centers in São Bernardo do Campo, Southeastern Brazil

The effective insertion of the pharmacist into primary care is an important goal for health policies. The objective of this study was to describe and analyze pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Care in the primary health centers (UBS) of São Bernardo do Campo. Data were obtained through an interview applied to pharmacists. The instrument has three sections: (1) Pharmacist identification; (2) Pharmacist work; and (3) Pharmaceutical activities. Items in section 3 correspond to the guidelines of agencies that promote Pharmaceutical Care in the primary health system. All 24 pharmacists working in UBS in São Bernardo do Campo were interviewed. Every center dispensing medicines has a responsible pharmacist. These pharmacists are predominantly women and postgraduates. Activities of Pharmaceutical Care reported were: daily prescription analysis (75% of interviewees); monthly participation in patient groups (70.8%); monthly follow-up of pharmacotherapy adherence (58.3%); monthly participation in multiprofessional team meetings (54.2%); monthly home visits (12.5%); health education to the community (83.3%); and pharmacist consultation (37.5%). Frequency of prescription analysis and home visits was weakly associated with aspects of the pharmacist and the facility. This study showed that Pharmaceutical Services are structured in primary care in São Bernardo do Campo and many Pharmaceutical Care activities are offered in its UBS

A transition from the BPharm to the PharmD degree in five selected countries

This review focuses on the studies and opinions around issues of transition from the BPharm to the PharmD degree in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Pakistan and Thailand. The transition to the clinically orientated PharmD degree in many countries was seen to be a means of developing the profession. However, some countries have both clinically-oriented and pharmaceutical sciences-oriented PharmD programme that are designed to meet the needs of their countries. Each country created a different process to handle the transition to an all-PharmD programme, but mostly had the process of school accreditation mandated by the regulatory bodies. The main barrier to the transition in most of the countries was the issue of educational quality. A set of indicators is needed to measure and monitor the impact/outcome of the PharmD degree. Each country has different needs due to the different contexts of health care systems and the scope of pharmacy practice. In order to increase their chances of benefiting from the new programme, academic leaders should critically assess their countries' needs before deciding to adopt a PharmD programme

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Impact of a medication therapy management service offered to patients in treatment of breast cancer

ABSTRACT Cancer has high morbidity and mortality rates related to medication use and produce a costly impact in health care. Thus, patients require constant monitoring and proper coordination of care between different professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the impact generated by a Medication Therapy Management service (MTM) offered to patients with breast cancer in use of polypharmacy. Observational, exploratory, descriptive and retrospective study of a MTM service that included 93 patients. Sociodemographic and clinical data related to pharmacotherapy and the processes associated with the systematization of the service were collected and analyzed. Patients were followed-up by the MTM service on average for 18 months (±4.31) and 185 drug-related problems (DRP) were identified, an average of two DRP per patient. Of these DRP, 48.11% were resolved and 49.73% were in the resolution process. The most common DRP were in the categories of Indication (37.84%), followed by Safety (23.78%). The safety category showed the highest resolution rate (59.09%). The study revealed an increased risk of DRP for patients with three or more comorbidities and using 5 or more medications. The process of systematization of a MTM service in oncology was associated with positive outcomes.

Development of a taxonomy for pharmaceutical interventions in HIV+ patients based on the CMO model / Desarrollo de una taxonomía de las intervenciones farmacéuticas en pacientes VIH+ basados en el modelo CMO

Objective: To agree on a proposal for pharmaceutical interventions and establish their classification taxonomy according to the CMO-Pharmaceutical Care Model (Capacity-Motivation-Opportunity). Method: A study conducted between March and May, 2016. Two phases of development were defined. A literature review was initially conducted. Then, the DELPHI-Rand-UCLA methodology was used in order to reach a consensus about those interventions selected, and to define the taxonomy. Fifteen (15) experts, specialists in Pharmaceutical Care for HIV+ patients, were selected. This selection was explicitly conducted, following a protocol in order to avoid any bias. An initial proposal was developed according to the interventions extracted from Phase 1. These were tentatively classified according to the CMO Model, in a category based on their design and utility. Three issues were raised from the initial question: Do you agree with the proposed classification? If not, there was an option to re-categorize. Additionally, they were asked about the importance, priority and impact to achieve pharmacotherapeutic objectives that they would assign to it. Interventions were classified according to the degree of agreement. Once a consensus was reached, the final taxonomy was established. Results: Eighteen (18) articles were finally considered. The initial proposal included 20 pharmaceutical interventions with the following classification: seven in Capacity, eight in Motivation, and five in Opportunity. Those interventions considered to have greater importance and priority were: Review and Validation, Safety, and Adherence. The interventions with the greatest impact were: Review and Validation, Coordination, Adherence, and Motivation. On the other hand, the lowest scores for importance were for: Planning and Social Coordination; and in terms of impact: Social Coordination. Conclusions: The taxonomy reached by consensus will allow to classify pharmaceutical interventions with the new model, and therefore to conduct an improved research and patient car (AU)

Objetivo: Consensuar una propuesta de intervenciones farmacéuticas y llevar a cabo su taxonomía de clasificación según el modelo de Atención Farmacéutica-CMO (Capacidad-Motivación-Oportunidad). Método: Estudio realizado entre marzo-mayo de 2016. Se definieron dos fases de desarrollo. Inicialmente, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica. A continuación, para consensuar las intervenciones seleccionadas y definir la taxonomía se utilizó metodología DELPHI-Rand-UCLA. Se seleccionaron 15 expertos, especialistas en Atención Farmacéutica al paciente VIH+. La selección se realizó explícitamente, siguiendo un protocolo para evitar sesgos. Se elaboró, inicialmente, una propuesta a partir de las intervenciones extraídas de la fase-1. Se clasificaron tentativamente según el Modelo-CMO en una categoría según su diseño y utilidad. Se plantearon tres preguntas a partir de la cuestión inicial: ¿Está de acuerdo con la clasificación propuesta? En caso negativo, se daba opción de recategorizar. Adicionalmente, se planteó qué importancia, prioridad e impacto en la consecución de objetivos farmacoterapéuticos le daría. Las intervenciones se clasificaron en función del grado de acuerdo. Una vez consensuadas, se realizó la taxonomía definitiva. Resultados: Se consideraron finalmente 18 artículos. La propuesta inicial incluyó 20 intervenciones farmacéuticas clasificadas siete en Capacidad, ocho en Motivación y cinco en Oportunidad. Las intervenciones consideradas de mayor importancia y prioridad fueron: revisión y validación, seguridad y adherencia. Las de mayor impacto fueron: revisión y validación, coordinación, adherencia y motivación. Por contra, las de menor puntuación en importancia fueron: planificación y coordinación social y, en impacto, coordinación social. Conclusiones: La taxonomía consensuada permitirá clasificar las intervenciones farmacéuticas realizadas con el nuevo modelo y, así, profundizar en la investigación y la mejora asistencial (AU)

Current perceptions of the term Clinical Pharmacy and its relationship to Pharmaceutical Care: a survey of members of the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy.

Background The definitions that are being used for the terms 'clinical pharmacy' and 'pharmaceutical care' seem to have a certain overlap. Responsibility for therapy outcomes seems to be especially linked to the latter term. Both terms need clarification before a proper definition of clinical pharmacy can be drafted. Objective To identify current disagreements regarding the term 'Clinical Pharmacy' and its relationship to 'Pharmaceutical Care' and to assess to which extent pharmacists with an interest in Clinical Pharmacy are willing to accept responsibility for drug therapy outcomes. Setting The membership of the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy. Methods A total of 1,285 individuals affiliated with the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy were invited by email to participate in an online survey asking participants to state whether certain professional activities, providers, settings, aims and general descriptors constituted (a) 'Clinical Pharmacy only', (b) 'Pharmaceutical Care only', (c) 'both' or (d) 'neither'. Further questions examined pharmacists' willingness to accept ethical or legal responsibility for drug therapy outcomes, under current and ideal working conditions. Main outcome measures Level of agreement with a number of statements. Results There was disagreement (<80% agreement among all participants) regarding 'Clinical Pharmacy' activities, whether non-pharmacists could provide 'Clinical Pharmacy' services, and whether such services could be provided in non-hospital settings. There was disagreement (<80% agreement among those linking items to Clinical Pharmacy) as to whether Pharmaceutical care also encompassed certain professional activities, constituted a scientific discipline and targeted cost effectiveness. The proportions of participants willing to accept legal responsibility under current/ideal working conditions were: safety (32.7%/64.3%), effectiveness (17.9%/49.2%), patient-centeredness (17.1%/46.2%), cost-effectiveness (20.3%/44.0%). Conclusions The survey identified key disagreements around the term 'Clinical Pharmacy' and its relationship to 'Pharmaceutical Care', which future discussions around a harmonised definition of 'Clinical Pharmacy' should aim to resolve. Further research is required to understand barriers and facilitators to pharmacists accepting responsibility for drug therapy outcomes.

Deshumanización de la atención sociosanitaria / Dehumanization of public healthcare

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La diabetes en España desde la perspectiva de la farmacia comunitaria: conocimiento, cumplimiento y satisfacción con el tratamiento / Diabetes in Spain from the perspective of the community pharmacy: knowledge, compliance, and satisfaction with treatment

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A vueltas con la objeción de conciencia de los farmacéuticos comunitarios / Struggling with the conscientious objections of community pharmacists

La sentencia del Pleno del Tribunal Constitucional del 25 de junio de 2015 ha provocado que se coloque de nuevo en el debate público la cuestión de la objeción de conciencia en las profesiones sanitarias. En 2010, año de la aprobación de la Ley 2/2010, de salud sexual y reproductiva, éste había sido ya un tema de amplia discusión. En este comentario nos proponemos exponer los problemas éticos y jurídicos fundamentales que plantea el recurso de amparo, los argumentos principales que refleja la sentencia y que, a nuestro juicio, son relevantes para la bioética y tratar de fijar cuáles son los avances o retrocesos que en la cuestión bioética de la objeción de conciencia de los profesionales sanitarios aporta esta resolución judicial (AU)

The ruling of the plenary session of the constitutional tribunal of June 25, 2015 once again brought the question of conscientious objection in the healthcare profession into public debate. This was a subject of considerable discussion in 2010, when Law 2/2010 regarding sexual and reproductive health was approved. In this article we attempt to illustrate the fundamental ethical and legal problems presented by this appeal on the grounds of unconstitutionality and the main arguments in the judgment that are, in our opinion, relevant to bioethics. We also attempt to identify the advances or setbacks of this legal ruling with regard to bioethics of the conscientious objection of the healthcare professionals (AU)

Pharmaceutical care: the PCNE definition 2013.

BACKGROUND: Twenty-three years after Hepler and Strand published their well-known definition of Pharmaceutical Care (PhC), confusion remains about what the term includes and how to differentiate it from other terms. The board of the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) felt the need to redefine PhC and to answer the question: "What is Pharmaceutical Care in 2013". OBJECTIVE: The aims of this paper were to review existing definitions of PhC and to describe the process of developing a redefined definition. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE database (1964-January 2013). Keywords included "Pharmaceutical Care", "Medication (Therapy) Management", "Medicine Management", and "Pharmacist Care" in the title or abstract together with the term "defin*". To ease comparison between definitions, we developed a standardised syntax to paraphrase the definitions. During a dedicated meeting, a moderated discussion about the definition of PhC was organised. RESULTS: The initial literature search produced 186 hits, with eight unique PhC definitions. Hand searching identified a further 11 unique definitions. These 19 definitions were paraphrased using the standardised syntax (provider, recipient, subject, outcome, activities). Fourteen members of PCNE and 10 additional experts attended the moderated discussion. Working groups of increasing size developed intermediate definitions, which had similarities and differences to those retrieved in the literature search. At the end of the session, participants reached a consensus on a "PCNE definition of Pharmaceutical Care" reading: "Pharmaceutical Care is the pharmacist's contribution to the care of individuals in order to optimize medicines use and improve health outcomes". CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to paraphrase definitions of PhC using a standardised syntax focusing on the provider, recipient, subject, outcomes, and activities included in PhC practice. During a one-day workshop, experts in PhC research agreed on a definition, intended to be applicable for the present time, representative for various work settings, and valid for countries inside and outside of Europe.

Types of pharmacy/pharmacists.

There are many career opportunities for pharmacists, as well as many environments in which to practice pharmacy. Although pharmacy has changed throughout the years and will continue to change, one aspect of pharmacy remains constant and that constant is that compounding has been a part of pharmacy since the beginning of time and will remain an integral part of pharmacy. This article discusses some of the environments in which pharmacists can choose to practice their profession and discusses some of the types of pharmacists. If you searched vigorously for information about each of the different types of pharmacy/ pharmacists, you will find that very few of them are not in some respect involved in the compounding/ preparation of pharmaceuticals. It is not uncommon for pharmacists to specialize in specific aspects of drug therapy.

Scientific production in pharmaceutical care: comparison between Brazil, USA and Spain

The aim of this study was to estimate the evolution of the field of Pharmaceutical Care (PC) by measuring the quality and quantity of the scientific production on the topic of PC in Brazil compared to two pioneering countries in the field, the United States of America (USA) and Spain. The databases Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, Lilacs and SciELO were used as sources for the literature search. Pharmaceutical Care, or the appropriate translations, was used as the search term for the literature search, which was limited to articles published between 1990 and 2009. A score of quality (SQ) was calculated using variables such as impact factor and the frequency of the citations. We included 3265 articles published in 544 journals. We found that there was a steady increase in scientific production since 1990 and that the USA had a higher quality of scientific production than Spain, whereas the Spain produced the highest quantity of articles. In comparison, the Brazilian production of scientific publications on PC is low in terms of both quality and quantity but has increased steadily since 2002. Nevertheless, Brazil has not yet reached the level of the USA or Spain. In conclusion, Brazil's scientific production has evolved over the second decade studied in this work, with particularly high levels of production in the last five years. However, an increase in the quantity and quality of the publications should be encouraged.

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a evolução da área de atenção farmacêutica (AF) através da medição da qualidade e quantidade da produção científica na área de AF no Brasil, comparando-a com os países pioneiros no ramo: Estados Unidos da América (EUA) e Espanha. Os bancos de dados Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, Lilacs e SciELO foram usados como fontes para a pesquisa. AF ou as respectivas traduções foram usadas como descritor para a pesquisa bibliográfica sendo incluídos artigos publicados no período de 1990 a 2009. A pontuação da qualidade (PQ) foi calculada, utilizando variáveis como fator de impacto e frequência das citações. Foram cincluídos 3.265 artigos publicados em 544 revistas. Verificou-se um aumento constante na produção científica desde 1990 sendo que os EUA possuíam maior qualidade, enquanto a maior quantidade de artigos foi produzida na Espanha. Em comparação, a produção brasileira na AF é baixa em qualidade e quantidade, mas tem aumentado desde 2002. Apesar disso, o Brasil ainda não atingiu o nível dos EUA ou Espanha. Em conclusão, o Brasil apresentou expressiva evolução na última década com maior desenvolvimento nos últimos cinco anos. Entretanto, melhoria na quanitdade e qualidade das publicações deve ser incentivada.

Categorización de las farmacias españolas según la teoría de difusión de las innovaciones de Rogers en relacion a la práctica del seguimiento farmacoterapéutico / Categorization of Spanish community pharmacies in relation to the provision of medication review with follow up, according to the theory of diffusion of the innovations by Rogers

Introduccion: El presente estudio pretende categorizar las farmacias españolas en función de su situación en el proceso de decisión-innovación de Rogers en relación a la provisión del Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico (SFT).Metodo: Se empleó un cuestionario, no validado, previamente utilizado con el mismo objetivo, mediante la técnica de CATI. Las variables dependientes fueron las cinco fases del proceso de implantación/adopción de Rogers [Conocimiento (F-C); Persuasión (F-P); Decisión (F-D); Implantación (F-I); Mantenimiento (F-M)], a las que se sumó la fase previa al conocimiento (No conocen). Las farmacias en F-M se sub-categorizaron en función del número de pacientes en Seguimiento, siempre que éste fuera superior a 1: (F-M1) de 2 a 5 pacientes; (F-M2) 6 a 10 pacientes; (F-M3) 11 a 25 pacientes; (F-M4) 26 a 50; (F-M5) 51 a 100 y (F-M6) 101 ó más pacientes. Las farmacias con un único paciente se incluyeron en F-I.Resultados: Se obtuvieron 1.135 respuestas (tasa de respuesta = 54%). Su distribución según el proceso de decisión/innovación de Rogers es la siguiente: No conocen (353; 31,1%); F-C (351; 30,9%); F-P (145; 12,8%); F-D (129; 11,4%); F-I (100; 8,8%); F-M (57; 5,0%). Las subcategorías en la F-M son: F-M1(15; 26,3%); F-M2 (12; 21,1%); F-M3 (10; 17,5%) F-M4 (10; 17,5%); F-M5 (4; 7,0%). Hay grandes diferencias entre las distintas CCAA siendo Aragón la que tiene mayor porcentaje de farmacias en F-I y F-M mientras que Cantabria es la que mayor desconocimiento refleja (50,0%) con un 0% en las F-I y F-M. También se observa un 0% en F-M en La Rioja, Canarias y Asturias. La existencia de una ZAP se muestra como un facilitador para la realización del servicio y la presencia de un responsable del SFT parece que es importante para conseguir su mantenimiento una vez implantado el mismo. Conclusiones: A pesar de los esfuerzos realizados por diferentes organizaciones e instituciones para impulsar la implantación y sostenibilidad del SFT, de acuerdo con los datos obtenidos es posible afirmar que este servicio se encuentra muy poco implantado en España. El hecho de que en la farmacia exista una zona de atención personalizada (ZAP) se muestra como un elemento que facilita la implantación del SFT. Por otra parte, la existencia de un farmacéutico responsable del servicio aparece como un elemento que permite la sostenibilidad del mismo una vez implantado. Es necesario modificar los objetivos de la formación postgrado de los farmacéuticos. Esta debe estar menos orientada a aumentar el conocimiento y más orientada a mejorar las habilidades y competencias, es decir, debe estar encaminada al cambio de comportamiento (AU)

Introduction: The aim of the study is to categorize Spanish Community Pharmacies in relation to their position in the innovation-decision process by Rogers, in relation to the provision of Medication Review with follow up.Methods: A non validated questionnaire, previously used with the same objective, was used through a CATI methodology. The dependent variables were the five different innovation/decision phases defined by Rogers [Knowledge (F-C); Persuasion (F-P); Decision (F-D); Implementation (F-I); Maintenance (F-M). Another further phase was added including pharmacists in a phase previous to knowledge (No knowledge). Pharmacies in F-M were sub categorized in relation to the number of patients receiving the service: (F-M1) from 2 to 5 patients; (F-M2) 6 to 10 patients; (F-M3) 11 to 25 patients; (F-M4) 26 to 50 patients); (F-M5) 51 to 100 and (F-M6) 101 or more patients. Pharmacies with only one patient were included in F-I.Results: 1135 answers were received (response rate = 54%). Their distribution, according to the innovation/decision process by Rogers, was as follows: No knowledge (353; 31.1%); F-C (351; 30.9%); F-P (145; 12.8%); F-D (129; 11.4%); F-I (100; 8.8%); F-M (57; 5.0%). The F-M sub categories were: F-M1 (15; 26.3%); F-M2 (12; 21.1%); F-M3 (10; 17.5%) F-M4 (10; 17.5%); F-M5 (4; 7.0%). There are huge differences among Autonomous Communities, being Aragon the one with more pharmacies located in F-I and F-M, while Cantabria shows the most high level of no-knowledge (50.0%) having a 0.0% in F-I and F-M. A 0% in F-M is also shown in La Rioja, Canarias and Asturias. The existence of a private consultation room (ZAP) is shown as a facilitator for the provision of the service, and the existence of a responsible for the service seems to be very important to the sustainability of the service after it implementation. Conclusions: However the great efforts already done by different organizations and institutions to promote the implementation and sustainability of Medication Review with follow up, according to the data obtained in this study is possible to affirm that so far this service is poorly implemented in Spain. The existence of a private consultation room (ZAP) is shown as a facilitator for the implementation of Medication Review with follow up. On the other hand the existence of a pharmacist being the responsible for the service is shown as a support to the sustainability of the service, once this has been implemented. It seems necessary to change post degree educational programs. These shouldn’t be directed only to improve knowledge, but to develop skills and competencies, what means that these programs should try to change behaviours (AU)

Conclusions: However the great efforts already done by different organizations and institutions to promote the implementation and sustainability of Medication Review with follow up, according to the data obtained in this study is possible to affirm that so far this service is poorly implemented in Spain. The existence of a private consultation room (ZAP) is shown as a facilitator for the implementation of Medication Review with follow up. On the other hand the existence of a pharmacist being the responsible for the service is shown as a support to the sustainability of the service, once this has been implemented. It seems necessary to change post degree educational programs. These shouldn’t be directed only to improve knowledge, but to develop skills and competencies, what means that these programs should try to change behaviours (AU)

Dirt cheap and without prescription: how susceptible are young US consumers to purchasing drugs from rogue internet pharmacies?

BACKGROUND: Websites of many rogue sellers of medications are accessible through links in email spam messages or via web search engines. This study examined how well students enrolled in a U.S. higher education institution could identify clearly unsafe pharmacies. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to estimate these health consumers vulnerability to fraud by illegitimate Internet pharmacies. METHODS: Two Internet pharmacy websites, created specifically for this study, displayed multiple untrustworthy features modeled after five actual Internet drug sellers which the authors considered to be potentially dangerous to consumers. The websites had none of the safe pharmacy signs and nearly all of the danger signs specified in the Food and Drug Administration s (FDA s) guide to consumers. Participants were told that a neighborhood pharmacy charged US$165 for a one-month supply of Beozine, a bogus drug to ensure no pre-existing knowledge. After checking its price at two Internet pharmacies-$37.99 in pharmacy A and $57.60 in pharmacy B-the respondents were asked to indicate if each seller was a good place to buy the drug. Responses came from 1,914 undergraduate students who completed an online eHealth literacy assessment in 2005-2008. Participation rate was 78%. RESULTS: In response to "On a scale from 0-10, how good is this pharmacy as a place for buying Beozine?" many respondents gave favorable ratings. Specifically, 50% of students who reviewed pharmacy A and 37% of students who reviewed pharmacy B chose a rating above the scale midpoint. When explaining a low drug cost, these raters related it to low operation costs, ad revenue, pressure to lower costs due to comparison shopping, and/or high sales volume. Those who said that pharmacy A or B was "a very bad place" for purchasing the drug (25%), as defined by a score of 1 or less, related low drug cost to lack of regulation, low drug quality, and/or customer information sales. About 16% of students thought that people should be advised to buy cheaper drugs at pharmacies such as these but the majority (62%) suggested that people should be warned against buying drugs from such internet sellers. Over 22% of respondents would recommend pharmacy A to friends and family (10% pharmacy B). One-third of participants supplied online health information to others for decision-making purposes. After controlling for the effects of education, health major, and age, these respondents had significantly worse judgment of Internet pharmacies than those who did not act as information suppliers. CONCLUSIONS: At least a quarter of students, including those in health programs, cannot see multiple signs of danger displayed by rogue Internet pharmacies. Many more are likely to be misled by online sellers that use professional design, veil untrustworthy features, and mimic reputable websites. Online health information consumers would benefit from education initiatives that (1) communicate why it can be dangerous to buy medications online and that (2) develop their information evaluation skills. This study highlights the importance of regulating rogue Internet pharmacies and curbing the danger they pose to consumers.

Drug utilization and cost in a Medicaid population: a simulation study of community vs. mail order pharmacy.

BACKGROUND: Outpatient drugs are dispensed through both community and mail order pharmacies. There is no empirical evidence that substitution of community pharmacy with mail order reduces overall drug expenditures. The need for evaluating the potential effects on utilization and costs of the possible extension of mail order services in Medicaid provides the rationale for conducting this study. This study compares drug utilization and drug product cost in community vs. mail order pharmacy dispensing services in a Medicaid population. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort study comparing utilization and cost patterns in community vs. mail order pharmacy. A simulation model was employed to assess drug utilization and cost in mail order pharmacy using community pharmacy claim data. The model assumed that courses of drug therapy (CDT) in mail order pharmacy would have utilization patterns similar to those found in community pharmacy. A 95% confidence interval surrounding changes in average utilization and average cost were estimated using bootstrap analysis. A sensitivity analysis was performed by varying drug selection criteria and supply, fill point, and medication possession ratio (MPR). Sub-analyses were performed to address differences between mail order and community pharmacy related to therapeutic class and dual-eligible patients. Data for the study derived from pharmacy claims database of Ohio Medicaid State program for the period January 2000-September 2004. Drug claims were aggregated to obtain a set of CDTs representing unique patient IDs and unique drug products. Drug product cost estimates excluded dispensing fees and were used to estimate the cost reduction required in mail order to become cost neutral in comparison with community pharmacy. RESULTS: The baseline model revealed that the use of mail order vs. community pharmacy would result in a 5.5% increase in drug utilization and a 5.4% cost reduction required in mail order to become cost neutral. Results from Ohio Medicaid drugs for chronic use revealed a 5.1% increase in utilization and a 4.9% cost reduction required to become cost neutral in comparison with community pharmacy. CONCLUSION: The results of the simulation model indicate that mail order pharmacy increases drug utilization and can also increase drug product cost if the cost per unit is not reduced accordingly. Prior consideration should be given to the patient population, day-supply, disease, therapy, and insurance characteristics to ensure the appropriate use of mail order pharmacy services.