Difficult-to-treat (DTR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring Verona-Integron metallo-ß-lactamase (blaVIM): infection management and molecular analysis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring Verona Integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase enzymes (VIM-CRPA) have been associated with infection outbreaks in several parts of the world. In the US, however, VIM-CRPA remain rare. Starting in December 2018, we identified a cluster of cases in our institution. Herein, we present our epidemiological investigation and strategies to control/manage these challenging infections. This study was conducted in a large academic healthcare system in Miami, FL, between December 2018 and January 2022. Patients were prospectively identified via rapid molecular diagnostics when cultures revealed carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. Alerts were received in real time by the antimicrobial stewardship program and infection prevention teams. Upon alert recognition, a series of interventions were performed as a coordinated effort. A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect patient demographics, antimicrobial therapy, and clinical outcomes. Thirty-nine VIM-CRPA isolates led to infection in 21 patients. The majority were male (76.2%); the median age was 52 years. The majority were mechanically ventilated (n = 15/21; 71.4%); 47.6% (n = 10/21) received renal replacement therapy at the time of index culture. Respiratory (n = 20/39; 51.3%) or bloodstream (n = 13/39; 33.3%) were the most common sources. Most infections (n = 23/37; 62.2%) were treated with an aztreonam-avibactam regimen. Six patients (28.6%) expired within 30 days of index VIM-CRPA infection. Fourteen isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing. Most of them belonged to ST111 (12/14), and they all carried blaVIM-2 chromosomally. This report describes the clinical experience treating serious VIM-CRPA infections with either aztreonam-ceftazidime/avibactam or cefiderocol in combination with other agents. The importance of implementing infection prevention strategies to curb VIM-CRPA outbreaks is also demonstrated.

Impact of a real-time diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship workflow on time to appropriate therapy for infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms.

INTRODUCTION: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative organisms cause life-threatening infections, and the incidence is rising globally. Timely therapy for these infections has a direct impact on patient survival. This study aimed to determine the impact of a multidisciplinary diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) workflow on time to appropriate therapy (TAP) for these infections using novel beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors. METHODS: This was a retrospective quasi-experimental study of adult patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas (MDR PsA) infections at a 1500 bed university hospital. Included patients who received ≥ 72 hours of ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) or ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) from December 2017 to December 2019. During the pre-intervention period (December 2017 to December 2018), additional susceptibilities (including CZA and C/T) were performed only upon providers' request. In 2019, reflex algorithms were implemented for faster identification and testing of all CRE/MDR PsA isolates. Results were communicated in real-time to the AMS team to tailor therapy. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients were included, with no between-group differences at baseline. The median age was 60 years and 56 (56.7%) were in intensive care at the time of culture collection. Identified organisms included 71 (71.7%) MDR PsA and 26 CRE, of which 18 were carbapenemase producers (Klebsiella-producing carbapenemase = 12, New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase = 4, Verona integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase = 2). The most common infections were pneumonia (49.5%) and bacteraemia (30.3%). A decrease was found in median TAP (103 [IQR 76.0-156.0] vs. 75 [IQR 56-100] hours; P < 0.001). Median time from culture collection to final susceptibility results was shorter in the post-intervention group (123 vs. 93 hours; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study identified improvement in TAP in MDR PsA and CRE infections with implementation of a reflex microbiology workflow and multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.

Rapid molecular testing for antimicrobial stewardship and solid organ transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Several molecular platforms now exist for early detection of infectious pathogens. In this review, we present the currently available literature summarizing clinical outcomes using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in the solid organ transplant (SOT) population. We also present potential benefits and drawbacks of these technologies for SOT patients. METHODS: We completed a PubMed search querying for 31 specific RDTs AND ("SOT"). We also queried PubMed for studies on RDT outcomes in the general population. References of the resulting relevant studies were reviewed and incorporated if the study population included at least one SOT patient. All culture specimen types were included. Only full-text peer-reviewed publications in English were examined. RESULTS: Our search yielded eleven studies. Across these studies, integrating RDTs with ASP intervention led to faster species identification and susceptibility results, faster time-to-optimal therapy, decreased hospital length-of-stay and costs, and decreased mortality. Potential drawbacks of RDTs in the SOT population included: overdiagnosis due to increased sensitivity (i.e., Clostridium difficile), decreased yield of tests for respiratory pathogens, and lack of identification of important pathogens in this population such as, Aspergillus species. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a scarcity of studies involving SOT patients, current available data suggests that the use of RDTs helps improve patient outcomes and minimizes inappropriate antimicrobial use when coupled with proactive ASPs. Future studies should focus on clinical outcomes in SOT patients specifically, as well as how to optimize the use of RDTs in conjunction with traditional microbiology methods.

Real-world, Multicenter Experience With Meropenem-Vaborbactam for Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections Including Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with meropenem-vaborbactam (MEV) for a variety of gram-negative infections (GNIs), primarily including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). METHODS: This is a real-world, multicenter, retrospective cohort within the United States between 2017 and 2020. Adult patients who received MEV for ≥72 hours were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Classification and regression tree analysis (CART) was used to identify the time breakpoint (BP) that delineated the risk of negative clinical outcomes (NCOs) and was examined by multivariable logistic regression analysis (MLR). RESULTS: Overall, 126 patients were evaluated from 13 medical centers in 10 states. The most common infection sources were respiratory tract (38.1%) and intra-abdominal (19.0%) origin, while the most common isolated pathogens were CRE (78.6%). Thirty-day mortality and recurrence occurred in 18.3% and 11.9%, respectively. Adverse events occurred in 4 patients: nephrotoxicity (n = 2), hepatoxicity (n = 1), and rash (n = 1). CART-BP between early and delayed treatment was 48 hours (P = .04). MEV initiation within 48 hours was independently associated with reduced NCO following analysis by MLR (adusted odds ratio, 0.277; 95% CI, 0.081-0.941). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support current evidence establishing positive clinical and safety outcomes of MEV in GNIs, including CRE. We suggest that delaying appropriate therapy for CRE significantly increases the risk of NCOs.

Effects of Tocilizumab in COVID-19 patients: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the lack of proven therapies, we evaluated the effects of early administration of tocilizumab for COVID-19. By inhibition of the IL-6 receptor, tocilizumab may help to mitigate the hyperinflammatory response associated with progressive respiratory failure from SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on hospitalized adults who received intravenous tocilizumab for COVID-19 between March 23, 2020 and April 10, 2020. RESULTS: Most patients were male (66.7%), Hispanic (63.3%) or Black (23.3%), with a median age of 54 years. Tocilizumab was administered at a median of 8 days (range 1-21) after initial symptoms and 2 days (range 0-12) after hospital admission. Within 30 days from receiving tocilizumab, 36 patients (60.0%) demonstrated clinical improvement, 9 (15.0%) died, 33 (55.0%) were discharged alive, and 18 (30.0%) remained hospitalized. Successful extubation occurred in 13 out of 29 patients (44.8%). Infectious complications occurred in 16 patients (26.7%) at a median of 10.5 days. After tocilizumab was administered, there was a slight increase in PaO2/FiO2 and an initial reduction in CRP, but this effect was not sustained beyond day 10. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of patients demonstrated clinical improvement and were successfully discharged alive from the hospital after receiving tocilizumab. We observed a rebound effect with CRP, which may suggest the need for higher or subsequent doses to adequately manage cytokine storm. Based on our findings, we believe that tocilizumab may have a role in the early treatment of COVID-19, however larger randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm this.

Successful treatment with Remdesivir and corticosteroids in a patient with COVID-19-associated pneumonia: A case report. / Tratamiento exitoso con Remdesivir y corticoides en un paciente con neumonía asociada a COVID-19: reporte de un caso.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread throughout the world causing significant mortality in high risk patients with severe manifestations. To date, Remdesivir has been the only antiviral authorized by FDA as therapy for emergency use. One of the potential complications of this infection is cytokine storm, which optimal treatment remains unknown. We present the case of a 48-year-old man with no past medical history who presented to the hospital with dyspnea, cough, subjective fever, and diarrhea for 10 days. Nasopharyngeal PCR was positive for SARS-CoV-2. His respiratory status rapidly worsened to the point of requiring supplemental oxygen by high flow nasal cannula with FiO2 of 80%. Chest computed tomography showed confluent ground glass opacities in upper lobes accompanied by patchy airspace opacities in lower lobes bilaterally. He was started on hydroxychloroquine, which was switched to Remdesivir when it became available. Then, methylprednisolone was initiated for suspected cytokine storm. The patients oxygenation improved significantly over the following days and he was discharged home with no oxygen supplementation and saturating 96% on room air. Our case illustrates the role of Remdesivir for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. We also observed a possible clinical benefit of corticosteroids in the context of suspected cytokine storm. Further studies are needed to evaluate this therapeutic strategy.

El síndrome respiratorio agudo grave coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) se ha diseminado rápidamente a lo largo del mundo causando una mortalidad significativa en pacientes de alto riesgo con manifestaciones severas. A la fecha, Remdesivir ha sido el único antiviral autorizado por la FDA para uso de emergencia. Una de las posibles complicaciones de esta infección es el desarrollo de tormenta de citoquinas, para la cual no existe un tratamiento óptimo. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 48 años sin antecedentes médicos que acudió al hospital con disnea, tos, fiebre subjetiva y diarrea durante 10 días. La reacción de cadena polimerasa nasofaríngea fue positiva para SARS-CoV-2. Su estado respiratorio empeoró rápidamente hasta el punto de requerir oxígeno suplementario a través cánula nasal de alto flujo con 80% de FiO2. La tomografía computarizada de tórax mostró opacidades confluyentes en vidrio esmerilado en los lóbulos superiores, acompañadas de opacidades irregulares alveolares en los lóbulos inferiores bilateralmente. Se inició terapia con hidroxicloroquina, la cual se cambió a Remdesivir cuando estuvo disponible. Luego se inició metilprednisolona como tratamiento de una posible tormenta de citoquinas. La oxigenación del paciente mejoró significativamente en los días posteriores y fue dado de alta sin requerir oxigeno adicional y saturando 96% en medio ambiente. Nuestro caso ilustra el papel de Remdesivir en el tratamiento de la neumonía grave por COVID-19. También observamos un posible beneficio clínico de los corticoides en tormenta de citoquinas. Se necesitan más estudios para evaluar la eficacia de esta estrategia terapéutica.

Implementing carbapenem-resistance testing algorithms for Enterobacteriales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship with timely infection prevention.

Early detection of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative (CRGN) infections can help tailor therapy sooner and prevent horizontal transmission more efficiently. This involves timely, multidisciplinary communication. To this aim, we describe our experience with implementing reflex testing algorithms for expanded antibiotic susceptibilities and molecular mechanisms of resistance in a large academic hospital.

Development and Implementation of a COVID-19 Disease Response Protocol at a Large Academic Medical Center.

In response to the rapid spread of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), health-care systems should establish procedures for early recognition and management of suspected or confirmed cases. We describe the various steps taken for the development, implementation, and dissemination of the interdisciplinary COVID-19 protocol at Jackson Health System (JHS), a complex tertiary academic health system in Miami, Florida. Recognizing the dynamic nature of COVID-19, the protocol addresses the potential investigational treatment options and considerations for special populations. The protocol also includes infection prevention and control measures and routine care for suspected or proven COVID-19 patients.

Evaluation of Addition of Intravenous Metronidazole to Oral Vancomycin Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with Non-Fulminant Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection.

BACKGROUND: Data on the impact of combination therapy (intravenous metronidazole [IV MTZ] plus oral vancomycin [PO VAN]) on clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with severe non-fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), including NAP1-positive samples, are lacking. METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort of adult patients who developed CDI in the ICU diagnosed with severe non-fulminant CDI who received PO VAN. Patients with an order for IV MTZ started within 72 hours of PO VAN and who received at least 72 hours of combined therapy composed the combination therapy group. A subset of patients had stool samples collected for NAP1 testing. An additional subset was matched by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores. The primary outcome was inpatient all-cause mortality within 30 days of CDI diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients were included with 60 (43.5%) patients in the combination group. Compared with the PO VAN group, those in the combination group had higher white blood cell counts at diagnosis (15.9 [interquartile range (IQR) 10.2-21.1] vs 20.9 [IQR 16.2-29] cells/mm3 , p<0.001), respectively. Overall inpatient mortality was higher in the combination group, but 30-day mortality was not significantly different between groups (12.8% monotherapy vs 18.3% combination, p=0.371). This finding was the same for the 96 patients in the APACHE II-matched subgroup, 14.6% monotherapy versus 18.8% combination, p=0.785. NAP1 testing was completed in 42 patients; 11 were positive (26.2%). Patients who were NAP1 positive were more likely to receive IV MTZ (54.5% vs 19.4%, p=0.026). CONCLUSION: Compared with PO VAN, combination therapy with IV MTZ was not associated with better clinical outcomes in severe non-fulminant CDI in ICU patients.

Antimicrobial usage at a large teaching hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) curbs resistance rates by encouraging rational antimicrobial use. However, data on antimicrobial stewardship in developing countries is scarce. The objective of this study was to characterize antimicrobial use at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia as a guiding step in the development of an AMS program. This was a cross-sectional, observational study evaluating antimicrobial appropriateness and consumption in non-critically ill adult medicine patients admitted to UTH. Appropriateness was defined as a composite measure based upon daily chart review. Sixty percent (88/146) of all adult patients admitted to the general wards had at least one antimicrobial ordered and were included in this study. The most commonly treated infectious diseases were tuberculosis, pneumonia, and septicemia. Treatment of drug sensitive tuberculosis is standardized in a four-drug combination pill of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol, therefore appropriateness of therapy was not further evaluated. The most common antimicrobials ordered were cefotaxime (n = 45), ceftriaxone (n = 28), and metronidazole (n = 14). Overall, 67% of antimicrobial orders were inappropriately prescribed to some extent, largely driven by incorrect dose or frequency in patients with renal dysfunction. Antimicrobial prescribing among hospitalized patients at UTH is common and there is room for optimization of a majority of antimicrobial orders. Availability of certain antimicrobials must be taken into consideration during AMS program development.

Tratamiento exitoso con Remdesivir y corticoides en un paciente con neumonía asociada a COVID-19: reporte de un caso / Successful treatment with Remdesivir and corticosteroids in a patient with COVID-19-associated pneumonia: a case report

El síndrome respiratorio agudo grave coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) se ha diseminado rápidamente a lo largo del mundo causando una mortalidad significativa en pacientes de alto riesgo con manifestaciones severas. A la fecha, Remdesivir ha sido el único antiviral autorizado por la FDA para uso de emergencia. Una de las posibles complicaciones de esta infección es el desarrollo de tormenta de citoquinas, para la cual no existe un tratamiento óptimo. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 48 años sin antecedentes médicos que acudió al hospital con disnea, tos, fiebre subjetiva y diarrea durante 10 días. La reacción de cadena polimerasa nasofaríngea fue positiva para SARS-CoV-2. Su estado respiratorio empeoró rápidamente hasta el punto de requerir oxígeno suplementario a través cánula nasal de alto flujo con 80% de FiO2. La tomografía computarizada de tórax mostró opacidades confluyentes en vidrio esmerilado en los lóbulos superiores, acompañadas de opacidades irregulares alveolares en los lóbulos inferiores bilateralmente. Se inició terapia con hidroxicloroquina, la cual se cambió a Remdesivir cuando estuvo disponible. Luego se inició metilprednisolona como tratamiento de una posible tormenta de citoquinas. La oxigenación del paciente mejoró significativamente en los días posteriores y fue dado de alta sin requerir oxigeno adicional y saturando 96% en medio ambiente. Nuestro caso ilustra el papel de Remdesivir en el tratamiento de la neumonía grave por COVID-19. También observamos un posible beneficio clínico de los corticoides en tormenta de citoquinas. Se necesitan más estudios para evaluar la eficacia de esta estrategia terapéutica.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread throughout the world causing significant mortality in high risk patients with severe manifestations. To date, Remdesivir has been the only antiviral authorized by FDA as therapy for emergency use. One of the potential complications of this infection is cytokine storm, which optimal treatment remains unknown. We present the case of a 48-year-old man with no past medical history who presented to the hospital with dyspnea, cough, subjective fever, and diarrhea for 10 days. Nasopharyngeal PCR was positive for SARS-CoV-2. His respiratory status rapidly worsened to the point of requiring supplemental oxygen by high flow nasal cannula with FiO2 of 80%. Chest computed tomography showed confluent ground glass opacities in upper lobes accompanied by patchy airspace opacities in lower lobes bilaterally. He was started on hydroxychloroquine, which was switched to Remdesivir when it became available. Then, methylprednisolone was initiated for suspected cytokine storm. The patient's oxygenation improved significantly over the following days and he was discharged home with no oxygen supplementation and saturating 96% on room air. Our case illustrates the role of Remdesivir for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. We also observed a possible clinical benefit of corticosteroids in the context of suspected cytokine storm. Further studies are needed to evaluate this therapeutic strategy.

Effectiveness of 8 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for hepatitis C in HCV-HIV-coinfected patients.

BACKGROUND: Data is limited on the use of 8 weeks of therapy with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) for special populations such as HCV-HIV-coinfected patients. The primary objective of this analysis was to compare sustained virological response at 12 weeks after end of therapy (SVR12) rates among HCV-monoinfected and HCV-HIV-coinfected patients in a real-world clinical setting. Additionally, we compared SVR12 rates among patients receiving 8 versus 12 weeks of therapy. METHODS: This was a single-centre, retrospective study of HCV-infected patients prescribed LDV/SOF at ambulatory clinics associated with the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) from May 2015 to May 2016. Data were obtained from UMMC electronic medical records and outpatient pharmacy claims database. Comparisons between groups were made using χ2 or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and Student's t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum for continuous variables. All analyses were per-protocol; patients missing SVR12 data (25.2%) could not be evaluated for our stated objectives. RESULTS: A total of 274 patients were included. Median age was 58 years; 62.8% were male; 82.5% were Black. SVR12 data was available for 65 HCV-HIV-coinfected patients, of which 62 (95.4%) achieved SVR12. There was no difference in SVR12 rate between HCV-HIV-coinfected patients and HCV-monoinfected patients (86/90; 95.6%; P=0.959). Additionally, there was no difference in SVR12 attainment between HIV-HCV-coinfected patients who received 8 versus 12 weeks of therapy (P=0.101). CONCLUSIONS: 8 weeks of LDV/SOF was effective for treatment-naive, non-cirrhotic, HCV genotype-1 patients in this real-world setting, regardless of HIV status. Increased uptake of the 8-week regimen can decrease costs for patients and payers without compromising outcomes.

Fluoroquinolone Restriction as an Effective Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Fluoroquinolones are a commonly prescribed antibiotic class that has come under scrutiny in recent years due to mounting evidence of association between adverse drug events, C. difficile infection and isolation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. RECENT FINDINGS: Inpatient antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs have a toolbox of potential interventions to curb inappropriate antibiotic use, prevent antibiotic-associated adverse drug events, and avoid unnecessary costs of care. Fluoroquinolone restriction policies in the acute care setting have demonstrated beneficial effects, including decreased rates of C. difficile infection and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. However, a simple blanket restriction policy may "squeeze the antibiotic balloon" and will likely be insufficient if not implemented in conjunction with other AMS interventions. There is a growing body of evidence to support formulary restriction of fluoroquinolones in the acute care setting to decrease rates of C. difficile infection and development of ESBL-producing organisms. Data on how to best implement these restrictions or how to implement outside of acute care settings is limited.

A Review of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: The Female Perspective.

When taken consistently, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with once daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) has been shown to safely reduce the incidence of HIV infection in high-risk individuals by more than 90%. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were about 2.1 million new cases of HIV reported worldwide in 2015. Undoubtedly, there is significant room for improvement to prevent the transmission of HIV. Research to date has been heavily focused on the high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) population, yet, many women worldwide remain at high risk of HIV transmission. PrEP offers women a protection method that is discrete, does not require partner consent, and may be compatible with both contraception or conception as desired. However, women often remain under-represented in HIV prevention literature and are reported to have lower real-world uptake in comparison to men. Furthermore, clinical trials that do focus on the female population demonstrate mixed efficacy results that highlight the adherence challenges in this population. It is essential to identify factors that contribute to PrEP non-adherence as well as barriers to preventative treatment. This review will discuss the clinical evidence behind PrEP in women, current barriers to use afflicting this population, pharmacotherapy considerations for the female patient, alternative and future agents, and the current real-world application of PrEP.

Commentary on Current Trends in Rising Drug Costs and Reimbursement Below Cost.

PURPOSE: To quantify prescription drug price increases over a span of 3 years (2012-2015), as well as extrapolate current reimbursement rates expected by independent retail pharmacies. In addition, we investigate potential reasons for these increasing drug costs. DESIGN: Descriptive analysis. METHODOLOGY: National average drug acquisition costs (NADAC) data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services were examined. Specifically, December 2012, 2013, and 2014, and July 2015 NADAC files were analyzed to identify generic and branded products with the highest percentage price increases. Percentage price differences were also calculated for 17 first-in-class drugs and their "me-too" competitors. The margin and margin percentage were calculated for claims adjudicated through four major payers. RESULTS: The top 50 generic drug price increases ranged from 474% to over 18,000% from December 2012 to July 2015. The top 50 branded drug price increases ranged from 63% to 391% during the same time period. The percentage price difference for the first-in-class drugs versus their me-too analogues ranged from -2.3% to 61,259%. The margin for generic drug claims adjudicated ranged from -$237.11 to-$1,105.96. The margin for branded drug claims adjudicated ranged from $272.42 to $360.17. CONCLUSION: Several potential reasons for the surge in prescription drug prices include manufacturer competition, industry consolidation, and capitalization on me-too drugs. This increase has compelled PBMs, health plan sponsors, and retail pharmacies to find novel ways to turn a profit, often at the expense of the consumer. Although there are no immediate solutions, legislation regulating PBM functions and the use of therapeutic interchange programs may offer health plans some assistance in managing drug costs.