Economic cost-benefit analysis of person-centred medicines reviews by general practice pharmacists.
Int J Clin Pharm
; 46(4): 957-965, 2024 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38814513
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Medicines reviews by general practice pharmacists improve patient outcomes, but little is known about the associated economic outcomes, particularly in patients at higher risk of medicines-related harm.AIM:
To conduct an economic cost-benefit analysis of pharmacists providing person-centred medicines reviews to patients with hyperpolypharmacy (prescribed ≥ 10 regular medicines) and/or at high risk of medicines-related harm across multiple general practice settings.METHOD:
Service delivery costs were calculated based on the pharmacist's salary, recorded timings, and a general practitioner fee. Direct cost savings were calculated from the cost change of patients' medicines post review, projected over 1 year. Indirect savings were calculated using two models, a population-based model for avoidance of hospital admissions due to adverse drug reactions and an intervention-based model applying a probability of adverse drug reaction avoidance. Sensitivity analyses were performed using varying workday scenarios.RESULTS:
Based on 1471 patients (88.4% with hyperpolypharmacy), the cost of service delivery was 153 per review. Using the population-based model, net cost savings ranging from 198 to 288 per patient review and from 73,317 to 177,696 per annum per pharmacist were calculated. Using the intervention-based model, net cost savings of 651-741 per review, with corresponding annual savings of 240,870-457,197 per annum per pharmacist, were calculated. Savings ratios ranged from 181 to 584% across all models and inputs.CONCLUSION:
Person-centred medicines reviews by general practice pharmacists for patients at high risk of medicines-related harm result in substantial cost savings. Wider investment in general practice pharmacists will be beneficial to minimise both patient harm and healthcare system expenditure.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Farmacêuticos
/
Análise Custo-Benefício
/
Assistência Centrada no Paciente
Limite:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article