Performance-based pharmacy payment models: key components and critical implementation considerations for successful uptake and integration.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, the shift towards value-based health care seeks to improve patient outcomes while reducing health care spending. Although the federal government has led the implementation of performance-based models for physicians and health care systems, commercial entities have largely been responsible for the development of similar models within pharmacy. For the purposes of this study, performance-based pharmacy payment models (PBPPMs) were defined as prescription drug payment models that determine reimbursement or fees for community pharmacies based in part on measured performance. These PBPPMs incentivize pharmacies to improve patient care by linking reimbursement to performance measures. However, the design and implementation of PBPPMs lack transparency and have not been described in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To (1) describe the structure of PBPPMs in the United States and (2) identify contextual and motivational influences that need to be considered for successful uptake and integration of these models. METHODS: A search of peer-reviewed and grey literature was undertaken. In addition, semi-structured stakeholder interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 17 individuals who were community pharmacists, payers, quality measure developers and vendors, academics, and pharmacy advocacy organization leaders. Data were analyzed to understand the current structure of PBPPMs and opportunities for improvement, as well as implementation considerations that included facilitators, barriers, and key insights. RESULTS: This study identified 4 major components of US PBPPMs: attribution, performance and quality measures, incentive structures, and patient care services. A number of barriers (eg, lack of alignment) and recommendations to improve the current structure of PBPPMs (eg, the need for adequate incentives to facilitate change) were highlighted. Notable implementation considerations centered around (1) establishing common ground among stakeholders to avoid misalignment and encourage engagement; (2) the importance of a quality-driven, innovative, and flexible organizational culture with access to data infrastructure, adjusted workflows, and relevant trainings; (3) supporting the cultural transition to value-based health care; and (4) application of financial incentives at the pharmacy or pharmacist level. CONCLUSIONS: To better develop and implement PBPPMs, it is first critical to understand the key components that define these models and the needed changes to their structure. In addition, identifying the contextual and motivational factors that influence their successful integration can improve future uptake. This study illustrates the landscape of PBPPMs in the United States, as well as makes recommendations for improvement in their design. To improve future development and implementation of these models, the following recommendations are highlighted: (1) increase transparency and alignment of measures with the incentive structure; (2) embrace innovative business models; (3) carefully plan and use roadmaps that outline successful uptake and implementation; and (4) foster culture of quality at all levels of health care. DISCLOSURES: This study was sponsored by Pharm-Alliance, an alliance between the pharmacy schools of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Monash University, and University College London. Urick reports consulting fees from Pharmacy Quality Solutions and Cardinal Health, unrelated to this work. The other authors have nothing to disclose. This study was a podium presentation under the title "What Makes Performance-Based Pharmacy Payment Models Work?" at AMCP Nexus Virtual, October 2020.

Evaluation of financial outcomes under a value-based payment program for community pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: Value-based payment models have been shown to limit health care spending and waste while improving quality of care. Evidence from value-based pharmacy programs (VBPPs) is needed to guide the use of these mechanisms in health care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate financial outcomes of a VBPP implemented in 73 community pharmacies for about 40,000 commercial beneficiaries of Wellmark, Inc. METHODS: Beneficiaries were attributed to pharmacies based on the number of prescriptions dispensed. The VBPP paid community pharmacies a per capita payment based on their performance on a set of metrics to deliver care the pharmacists believed was necessary to optimize the beneficiaries' medication therapy and associated outcomes. Financial outcome variables were analyzed for the calendar year of 2018, including total cost of care, hospital admissions, and emergency department (ED) visits. Hospital admissions and ED visits were identified through claims data. Generalized linear models were used to test the effect of the VBPP on each of the outcome variables by comparing outcomes for beneficiaries attributed to the pharmacies participating in the VBPP (73 pharmacies) to Wellmark's beneficiaries attributed to nonparticipating pharmacies (847 pharmacies). Independent variables used in the models to control for possible confounding included beneficiary demographics and complexity scores, region code, accountable care organization (ACO) attribution, beneficiary product type (health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), and several disease indicator variables. RESULTS: Analyses showed in 2018 that the per beneficiary per month total costs of care for the beneficiaries going to the VBPP pharmacies (N = 15,463) was $30.48 (4.5%; 95% CI = -6.2% to -2.7%) lower than that of the non-VBPP group (N = 140,717). The hospital admission rate for the VBPP group was 5.1% lower but was not statistically significant (95% CI = -12.9% to 3.3%). Similarly, the ED visit rate for the VBPP group was 2.1% lower than the non-VBPP group but did not reach statistical significance (95% CI = -8.6% to 3.3%). CONCLUSIONS: With the growing need for solutions to improve quality of care while reducing health care costs and waste, a value-based payment program using performance-determined capitated payments to community pharmacies offering enhanced clinical services significantly reduced total costs of care in a commercial population with one or more chronic conditions. Future work with this promising model is encouraged. DISCLOSURES: No external funding was obtained to support this study. Devolder and Heggen are employed by Wellmark, Inc. Doucette is supported by the Deborah K. Veale Professorship in Healthcare Policy at the University of Iowa. The authors have no other potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on addressing common barriers to pharmacy-based point-of-care testing.

Introduction: Pharmacy-based point-of-care testing has long had the potential to improve patient access to timely care, but adoption has been slowed by financial and regulatory barriers. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced or temporarily eliminated many of the barriers to pharmacy-based testing. This review examines how the changes brought on by may impact pharmacy-based testing after the pandemic.Areas covered: This review searched peer-reviewed, lay, and regulatory literature to explore the implementation of pharmacy-based COVID-19 testing. This includes a review of regulatory and financial changes that removed barriers to testing. Additionally, it reviews the literature related to the growth of pharmacy-based testing.Expert opinion: It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic created an awareness and opportunity for pharmacy-based point-of-care testing. The changes made in response to the pandemic have the potential to increase the role of pharmacy-based testing, but additional regulatory changes and wider pharmacy adoption are still needed to maximize the value of such services.

Design and effect of performance-based pharmacy payment models.

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacy participation in performance-based payment models has increased in recent years. Despite this, there has been neither much research done to evaluate the effect of these models on health care quality and spending nor is there extensive literature on the design of these models. OBJECTIVES: To (a) describe the types of measures used in performance-based pharmacy payment models (PBPPMs); (b) describe the financial impact of PBPPMs on pharmacies; (3) explore pharmacy owners' perceptions of PBPPMs; and (4) describe any practice changes made in response to PBPPMs. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that surveyed independent community pharmacy owners between November 2019 and January 2020. The survey included 45 items split into 5 sections that covered respondent characteristics and the 4 domain objectives. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative responses, and free-text responses were assessed for themes. RESULTS: Of the 68 individuals who responded to the survey, 42 were community pharmacy owners who met the study eligibility criteria, and 30 responded to most survey items. Owners expressed frustration at the design of PBPPMs, with 90% stating that they did not feel that the actions necessary to meet or exceed performance standards were within their control, and 90% also reported a loss of revenue because of these models. In addition, large numbers of respondents felt that they did not have enough information on how performance measures were computed (76.7%) or how cut-points were determined (86.7%). Despite negative feelings, most owners reported implementing changes in service offerings as a result of these models. CONCLUSIONS: PBPPMs appear to be commonplace and put substantial financial burden on community pharmacies. Study results suggest that greater education by payers could improve pharmacist engagement, as could involvement of pharmacies in the design and maintenance of PBPPMs. DISCLOSURES: This work was supported by a grant from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, which was not involved in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report; or the decision to submit this article for publication. Urick reports consulting fees from Pharmacy Quality Solutions. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Servicio profesional farmacéutico de indicación farmacéutica en sequedad ocular utilizando el programa 'I-VALOR' / Minor ailment service for dry eye syndromes: I-VALOR programme

INTRODUCCIÓN: la labor del farmacéutico comunitario en el Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica (SIF) es muy importante como primera línea de asistencia a la población, aunque no está suficientemente documentada. OBJETIVOS: evaluar la intervención del farmacéutico comunitario en el SIF ante una consulta sobre enfermedad de ojo seco (EOS) con el uso de protocolos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo, observacional realizado dentro del programa I-VALOR (enero-junio 2015). Los participantes fueron farmacéuticos voluntarios y pacientes que solicitaron algún remedio para aliviar la EOS. Se utilizó el protocolo del SIF del Foro de Atención Farmacéutica en Farmacia Comunitaria, un consenso para EOS realizado entre sociedades científicas, una hoja de derivación, un informe para el paciente y una hoja de recomendaciones. RESULTADOS: participaron 6.350 pacientes. 62,7 % consultas fueron realizadas por mujeres (24,3 % 46-65 años). El 60 % de los pacientes no presentaba ningún criterio de derivación. Se detectaron 3.887 criterios de derivación en 2.537 pacientes. Se decidió no derivar al 15,4 %, y del resto, 87,3 % aceptó la derivación. La dispensación de algún tratamiento tuvo lugar en el 80 % de los pacientes: 3.157 con tratamiento farmacológico (89,2 % un único medicamento) y 2.403 con tratamiento no farmacológico. El 35 % recibió consejos higiénico-dietéticos y consejo farmacéutico. Se detectaron 25 reacciones adversas a medicamentos (0,4 %). El 70,5 % de todas las consultas realizadas fueron resueltas sin necesidad de derivar al médico. CONCLUSIONES: el programa I-VALOR para EOS ha permitido evaluar la intervención protocolizada del farmacéutico en EOS mediante el registro de las actuaciones farmacéuticas para demostrar la labor desarrollada desde la farmacia comunitaria

BACKGROUND: Minor ailment service offered in community pharmacist is a key element in patient care. Thought in Spain the service is not properly documented. AIMS: The main objective was to evaluate community pharmacists' interventions through an agreed minor ailment service for dry eye syndromes (DES). METHOD: Descriptive study undertaken alongside I-VALOR programme (January-June 2015). Participants were pharmacists from SEFAC who voluntarily decided to do, and patients were those who consulted about DES in community pharmacy. Pharmacists used the Pharmaceutical Care Forum guideline for the Minor Ailment Service and an agreed consensus between pharmaceutical and medical societies. A patient's form and a referral's form were designed. RESULTS: There were 6,350 patients involved. 62.7% consultations were made by women 24.3% of 46-65 years old). No referral criteria were detected in 60% of patients. The pharmacist detected 3,887 referral criteria in 2,537 patients. Pharmacists decided not to refer 15.4% of those patients. 87.3% of the patients referred accepted the referral. Treatments were dispensed in 80% of patients: 3,157 pharmacological treatment (89.2% a single medication) and 2,403 non-pharmacological treatment (medical device, food supplement or eye cleaning product). 35% received hygienic-dietary advice and pharmaceutical advice. Twenty-five adverse drug reactions were detected (0.4%). 70.5% of all consultations made were managed with no referral to a general practitioner (GP). CONCLUSIONS: I-VALOR programme allowed to evaluate an agreed intervention for DES in community pharmacy through the record of MAS to demonstrate CP contribution to manage minor ailments

The medication discrepancy detection service: A cost-effective multidisciplinary clinical approach / Servicio de detección de discrepancias de la medicación: un estudio multidisciplinar y coste-efectivo

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of a Medication Discrepancy Detection Service (MDDS), a collaborative service between the community pharmacy and Primary Care. DESIGN: Non-controlled before-and-after study. SETTING: Bidasoa Integrated Healthcare Organisation, Gipuzkoa, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: The service was provided by a multidisciplinary group of community pharmacists (CPs), general practitioners (GPs), and primary care pharmacists, to patients with discrepancies between their active medical charts and medicines that they were actually taking. Outcomes: The primary outcomes were the number of medicines, the type of discrepancy, and GPs' decisions. Secondary outcomes were time spent by CPs, emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and costs. RESULTS: The MDDS was provided to 143 patients, and GPs resolved discrepancies for 126 patients. CPs identified 259 discrepancies, among which the main one was patients not taking medicines listed on their active medical charts (66.7%, n = 152). The main GPs' decision was to withdraw the treatment (54.8%, n = 125), which meant that the number of medicines per patient was reduced by 0.92 (9.12 ± 3.82 vs. 8.20 ± 3.81; p < .0001). The number of ED visits and hospital admissions per patient were reduced by 0.10 (0.61 ± .13 vs 0.52 ± 0.91; p = .405 and 0.17 (0.33 ± 0.66 vs. 0.16 ± 0.42; p = .007), respectively. The cost per patient was reduced by (Euro)444.9 ((Euro)1003.3 ± 2165.3 vs. (Euro)558.4 ± 1273.0; p = .018). CONCLUSION: The MDDS resulted in a reduction in the number of medicines per patients and number of hospital admissions, and the service was associated with affordable, cost-effective ratios

OBJETIVOS: Estimar la efectividad del servicio de detección de discrepancias de la medicación, un servicio de colaboración entre la farmacia comunitaria y la atención primaria. DISEÑO: Estudio de intervención antes-después, sin grupo control. Emplazamiento: Organización Sanitaria Integrada de Bidasoa, Gipuzkoa, España. PARTICIPANTES: El servicio fue ofrecido por un grupo multidisciplinar que incluía farmacéuticos comunitarios (FC), médicos de atención primaria (MAP) y farmacéuticos de atención primaria a pacientes que presentaban discrepancias entre la medicación prescrita en la hoja de tratamiento activo y lo que realmente estaban tomando. Mediciones principales: Las variables principales del estudio fueron el número de medicamentos, tipo de discrepancia y la decisión del MAP. Las variables secundarias fueron tiempo invertido por el farmacéutico, visitas al servicio de urgencias, ingresos hospitalarios y los costes. RESULTADOS: El servicio se ofreció a 143 pacientes, y el MAP resolvió las discrepancias de un total de 126 pacientes. El FC identificó 259 discrepancias de las cuales la mayoría fue que el paciente no estaba tomando un medicamento prescrito (66,7%, n = 152). En la mayoría de los casos, la decisión del MAP fue suspender el tratamiento (54,8%, n = 125); el número de medicamentos que tomaba el paciente se redujo en un 0,92 (9,12 ± 3,82 vs. 8,20 ± 3,81; p < 0,0001). El número de visitas al hospital y los ingresos hospitalarios se redujeron en 0,10 (0,61 ± 0,13 vs. 0,52 ± 0,91; p = 0,405) y 0,17 puntos (0,33 ± 0,66 vs. 0,16 ± 0,42; p = 0,007), respectivamente. El coste por paciente se redujo en 444,9 (Euro) (1.003,3 ± 2.165,3 vs. 558,4 (Euro) ± 1.273,0; p = 0,018). CONCLUSIÓN: El servicio redujo el número de medicamentos que tomaba el paciente e ingresos hospitalarios y esto se relacionó con unos ratios de coste-efectividad positivos

Community Pharmacists: On the frontline of health service against COVID-19 in LMICs.

The COVID-19 outbreak is a global public health crisis which has affected healthcare practice across professions. In the context of this pandemic, there is a need to highlight the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists. Community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals to the general public and have a lot to offer amid the COVID-19 response. This have led to significant changes in the health systems of many countries. This article seeks to highlight additional roles and activities relating to the public health response that can be undertaken by community pharmacists that could help to reduce pressure on general practice and other areas of the health service.

Time-trend analysis of medicine sales and shortages during COVID-19 outbreak: Data from community pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a worldwide public health concern. Disruptions in the drug market are expected and shortages might worsen. Community pharmacies can contribute to early identification and report of medicines' supply and demand issues. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to characterize the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on outpatient medicines' sales and shortages. METHODS: A retrospective, time-trend analysis of medicine sales, shortages and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases was performed from February 1st to April 30th, 2020, and its homologous period (regarding sales only). A detailed analysis of 6 pharmaceutical substances was performed. All data were subjected to rescaling using the min-max normalization method, in order to become comparable. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft® Excel. RESULTS: The pandemic resulted in an increase in medicines' demand and reported shortages during the early stage of the outbreak. The maximum proportion of medicine sales was registered on March 13th, 2020, 4 days after the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. By the end of March, sales have already dropped to proportions similar to those of 2019. The maximum proportion of drug shortages was reached about one week after the sales peak and by the end of the study period were below those recorded in the pre-COVID-19 period. The analyzed drugs were paracetamol, ascorbic acid, dapagliflozin plus metformin, rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe, formoterol, and hydroxychloroquine, as these pharmaceutical substances registered the highest growth rate in sales and shortages when compared to the same period in the previous year. Hydroxychloroquine showed the most different pattern trends on sales and shortages of these medicines. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacies can provide timely and real-world data regarding sales and shortages. The adopted measures to guarantee the continuous supply of the medicine market seem to have worked. The long-term impacts of this pandemic are unknown and should continue to be closely monitored.

Non-prescription sale of antibiotics and service quality in community pharmacies in Guangzhou, China: A simulated client method.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the situation of the non-prescription sale of antibiotics and the service quality of community pharmacies in Guangzhou, China. METHODS: A simulated client method was conducted to estimate the non-prescription sale of antibiotics and service quality based on scenarios about adult acute upper respiratory tract infection in 2019. A total of 595 community pharmacies from 11 districts were investigated in Guangzhou, China. We used binary logistic regression to evaluate the factors associated with the non-prescription sale of antibiotics. RESULTS: The proportion of non-prescription dispensing of antibiotics was 63.1% in Guangzhou, China, with a higher incidence of antibiotic dispensing without prescription in outer districts (69.3%). Cephalosporin (44.1%) and Amoxicillin (39.0%) were sold more often than other antibiotics. Chain pharmacies had better performance on the prescription sale of antibiotics and service quality. Traditional Chinese medicine was commonly recommended by pharmacy staff. CONCLUSION: Since the non-prescription sale of antibiotics is prevalent in Guangzhou, effective solutions should be determined. Strengthened public awareness and regulatory system innovation are needed.

An evaluation of community pharmacies' actions under value-based payment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine actions taken by community pharmacies to be successful under a value-based pharmacy program (VBPP). METHOD: An exploratory sequential mixed methods approach was used to evaluate pharmacies participating in the VBPP, with qualitative data collected and analyzed in the first phase, followed by quantitative measurement through a 30-item survey instrument in the second phase. RESULTS: The qualitative data showed that participating pharmacies were more involved with adherence and cardiovascular and diabetes metrics than with other metrics. Depression metrics received the lowest overall involvement. For total cost of care, different approaches were used; 5 pharmacies used the dashboard to identify likely high-cost patients they could try to manage, and 4 pharmacies monitored adherence to avoid complications that could contribute to increased cost. For the survey response rate was 72.6% (n = 53). The mean perception of level of success was 53.06 ± 20.15 (mean ± SD). Activities with the highest priority were adherence (1.98 ± 0.97) and diabetes care (2.04 ± 0.83), and the activity with the lowest priority was depression care (3.60 ± 1.10). The most frequently mentioned challenge was time availability, and the most common improvement suggestion was better communication between the insurer and providers. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study found that community pharmacies were transforming their practices to be successful under a commercial value-based payment program. The pharmacies tended to build on care processes already established (e.g., medication adherence, patients with diabetes or cardiovascular conditions) and developed new processes to address emerging metrics and associated patient needs (e.g., collecting and documenting blood pressure and hemoglobin A1c levels). Future research is needed to identify best practices for patient care and pharmacy success under broad VBPPs such as the one studied here.

Rural-Urban Disparities in Access to Medicaid-Contracted Pharmacies in Washington State, 2017.

INTRODUCTION: Community retail pharmacies offer multiple public health services to meet the health care needs of medically underserved rural communities. Many rural residents are enrolled in Medicaid insurance, and it is important that pharmacies contract with Medicaid to meet the health care needs of these people. The objective of this study was to evaluate disparities in access to Medicaid-contracted pharmacies across the rural-urban continuum in Washington State. METHODS: We linked data on licensed community retail pharmacies in Washington State in 2017 to lists of state Medicaid-contracted pharmacies. We classified pharmacies as being located in small rural, large rural, suburban, and urban areas by using rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. We evaluated the likelihood of zip code-level access to at least 1 pharmacy that was contracted with a Medicaid insurance plan across the rural-urban continuum by using descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression models, adjusted for zip code-level community characteristics. RESULTS: Of 1,145 pharmacies in our study sample, 8.4% (n = 96) were not contracted with a Medicaid plan. Compared with urban core zip codes, small rural zip codes (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46-0.91) and large rural zip codes (ARR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.49-0.95) were significantly less likely to have access to a Medicaid-contracted pharmacy. Suburban zip codes did not differ significantly from urban core areas in their access to Medicaid-contracted pharmacies. CONCLUSION: In Washington State, the likelihood of access to a Medicaid-contracted pharmacy decreased significantly as rurality increased. Policy efforts should aim to improve access for Medicaid enrollees, especially those outside urban centers.

Direct patient care services by community and ambulatory care pharmacists in Idaho.

Background Pharmacists are one of the most accessible but unoptimized healthcare providers in the community. They are medication experts and have authority to independently prescribe in Idaho. Through the provision of direct patient care services (i.e., those distinct from traditional prescription dispensing functions), pharmacists have a greater opportunity to impact chronic disease prevention and management across the state. This can be done by filling gaps in community care (e.g., prescribing recommended therapy) and directly managing and preventing chronic diseases. However, current practices surrounding pharmacist-provided direct patient care services are unknown. Objective To characterize direct patient care services provided by Idaho community and ambulatory care pharmacists as well as to assess individual pharmacists' and their work sites' capacity and barriers in providing and expanding services. Setting Community and ambulatory care pharmacists' work sites in Idaho. Method We administered a cross-sectional, electronic, 20-min survey to Idaho community and ambulatory care pharmacists. Main outcome measure The survey focused on collecting data on current practices, capacity, and barriers related to pharmacist-provided direct patient care services. Results The survey was completed by 280 eligible community and ambulatory care pharmacists with the majority of respondents (n = 250) offering pharmacist-provided direct patient care services. Pharmacists most often prescribed therapy for tobacco cessation (nicotine replacement, bupropion, varenicline), naloxone, and devices for patients with diabetes. Top barriers to individual pharmacists providing services were dispensing load and workload while top barriers to work sites (e.g., environment) were reimbursement/billing, number of available staff, and workflow. Conclusion Idaho community and ambulatory care pharmacists currently offer direct patient care services to patients across the state, but face barriers in providing and increasing services offered.

Depression screening in adults by pharmacists in the community: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Improving the identification of depression in adults in primary care can produce clinical and economic benefits. Community Pharmacists may play a role in screening for depression. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and evaluate the evidence for the feasibility, impact and cost-effectiveness of community pharmacists screening adults for depression. METHODS: An electronic literature search using the databases EMBASE, PubMed and CINAHL Complete from January 2000 to September 2019 was undertaken to identify studies involving community pharmacists screening for depression. Data relating to sample size, population demographics and medical conditions of adults screened were extracted. Details around the screening model, process-related outcomes, clinical outcomes and economic outcomes were also extracted. RESULTS: Ten studies using eight unique depression screening tools were identified. Ease of administration was the most common selection criterion (n = 4) while no reason was given in four studies. Seven studies reported that through screening, pharmacists could identify adults with undiagnosed depression. Pharmacists referred adults screening positive for assessment in seven studies and followed up participants in two studies. No study assessed the impact of screening on depressive symptoms or the cost-effectiveness of pharmacists screening for depression. CONCLUSION: Community pharmacists are able to use depression screening tools to identify undiagnosed adults having symptoms of depression. However, there is little evidence around the impact of this screening on clinical and economic outcomes. Larger, well-designed studies that use a highly accurate, easily administered screening tool and include patient referral and follow-up and pharmacist training are warranted to provide evidence on the impact of community pharmacists screening adults for depression.

The Help for Hay Fever community pharmacy-based pilot randomised controlled trial for intermittent allergic rhinitis.

Management of intermittent allergic rhinitis (IAR) is suboptimal in the UK. An Australian community pharmacy-based intervention has been shown to help patients better self-manage their IAR. We conducted a pilot cluster RCT in 12 Scottish community pharmacies to assess transferability of the Australian intervention. Trained staff in intervention pharmacies delivered the intervention to eligible customers (n = 60). Non-intervention pharmacy participants (n = 65) received usual care. Outcome measures included effect size of change in the mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (miniRQLQ) between baseline, 1-week and 6-week follow-up. Trial procedures were well received by pharmacy staff, and customer satisfaction with the intervention was high. The standardised effect size for miniRQLQ total score was -0.46 (95% CI, -1.05, 0.13) for all participants and -0.14 (95% CI,-0.86, 0.57) in the complete case analysis, suggesting a small overall treatment effect in the intervention group. A full-scale RCT is warranted to fully evaluate the effectiveness of this service.

Evolution of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager/Community Pharmacy Relationship: An Opportunity for Success.

DISCLOSURES: No funding supported the writing of this commentary. The author has nothing to disclose.

A Sleeping Giant: Community Pharmacy's Potential Is Unrivaled.

DISCLOSURES: No funding was received for the writing of this commentary. The author has nothing to disclose.

What Was, Is No More: Community Pharmacy Economics.

DISCLOSURES: No funding supported the writing of this article. The author is an employee of AmerisourceBergen and leads its Good Neighbor Pharmacy program, which supports independent community pharmacy customers.

To Reform Pharmacy Reimbursement Begin with the Basics.

DISCLOSURES: No funding supported the writing of this commentary. The author has nothing to disclose.

Introduction: Pharmacy Reimbursement.

DISCLOSURES: No funding supported the writing of this article. The author has nothing to disclose.

Supporting patients with long-term conditions in the community: Evaluation of the Greater Manchester Community Pharmacy Care Plan Service.

The Greater Manchester Community Pharmacy Care Plan (GMCPCP) service provided tailored care plans to help adults with one or more qualifying long-term condition (hypertension, asthma, diabetes and COPD) to achieve health goals and better self-management of their long-term conditions. The service ran between February and December 2017. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the service on patient activation, as measured by the PAM measure (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes included quality of life (EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS), medication adherence (MARS-5), NHS resource use and costs, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol ratio levels and body mass index (BMI). A before and after design was used, with follow-up at 6-months. A questionnaire was distributed at follow-up and telephone interviews with willing participants were used to investigate patient satisfaction with the service. The study was approved by the University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee. Quantitative data were analysed in SPSS v22 (IBM). A total of 382 patients were recruited to the service; 280 (73%) remained at follow-up. Ten patients were interviewed and 43 completed the questionnaire. A total of 613 goals were set; mean of 1.7 goals per patient. Fifty percent of goals were met at follow-up. There were significant improvements in PAM, EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS scores and significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, BMI and HDL cholesterol ratio at follow-up. Mean NHS service use costs were significantly lower at follow-up; with a mean decrease per patient of £236.43 (±SD £968.47). The mean cost per patient for providing the service was £203.10, resulting in potential cost-savings of £33.33 per patient (SD ± 874.65). Questionnaire respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with the service. This study suggests that the service is acceptable to patients and may lead to improvements in health outcomes and allows for modest cost savings. Limitations of the study included the low response rate to the patient questionnaire.