An extensive study carried out in British Columbia, Canada, has highlighted the pivotal role community pharmacists play in medication management (MM) services, leading to a safer and more effective medication therapy for patients. The retrospective longitudinal analysis conducted between January 2014 and December 2015 offers a deeper look into how pharmacist-based interventions are crucial in addressing drug-related problems (DTPs). This article will unpack the study’s findings, offer insights from experts, and consider the implications for community pharmacy practice.
An Overview of the Study
The research, published in the ‘Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy’ journal under the title “Characterization of pharmacist-based medication management services in a community pharmacy,” was led by Shahrzad Salmasi and her team of experts from the University of British Columbia in collaboration with Carlo A. Marra from the University of Otago, and Larry D. Lynd from the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences.
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.04.051
Key Findings
The study reviewed data concerning 1,572 patients who received MM services, with a mean visit duration of about 29.1 minutes. A total of 2,133 DTPs were identified, prompting a significant 7,176 pharmacist-recommended interventions. The DTPs largely centered around the need for additional therapy, which constituted 61.8% of the cases. Meanwhile, the clinical issues most commonly managed were cardiovascular diseases (20%) and mental health disorders (15.7%).
Intervention strategies commonly involved patient education, making up 43.4% of the recommendations, and changing therapy, which accounted for 21.6%. Notably, the research established that elderly patients with multiple comorbidities had a higher incidence of DTPs and necessitated a greater number of interventions.
The Importance of Medication Management
Medication management is a critical component of patient care that encompasses several clinical activities. According to the study, these activities center on ensuring each patient’s medication regimen is safe and effective. Community pharmacists, through MM services, can identify possible medication issues before they exacerbate into severe complications.
Pharmacist Interventions
The study detailed the types of interventions typically implemented by pharmacists. Education emerged as a cornerstone intervention, reflecting the importance of informing patients about their medications, potential side effects, and the proper use of their prescriptions. Moreover, pharmacists often found themselves altering therapy regimens, either by adding new medications or adapting existing ones, to address identified DTPs.
The Role of Real-World Data
By focusing on real-world data, the research underscores the benefits of analyzing actual patient encounters in understanding the impact of pharmacists’ clinical work. This approach has proven to be a gold standard for evidencing the positive outcomes generated by pharmacists in community settings.
Expert Views
During an interview, lead researcher Shahrzad Salmasi said, “Our study reveals the substantial impact pharmacists have in managing and optimizing patient medication. The findings should inspire a continued integration of MM services within community pharmacies.”
Larry D. Lynd added, “The importance of this study goes beyond numbers. It puts the spotlight on how pharmacists contribute to the healthcare industry as crucial agents of patient education and safety.”
Policy Implications
With the growing prevalence of chronic diseases and the complexity of medication regimens, effective MM becomes increasingly important. The insights from this study could potentially guide policymakers in reinforcing the role of community pharmacists in the healthcare continuum, especially within the aging population.
References
1. Salmasi, S., Tsao, N. W., Li, K., Shaske, J. N., Marra, C. A., & Lynd, L. D. (2020). Characterization of pharmacist-based medication management services in a community pharmacy. Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy: RSAP, 16(2), 178–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.04.051
2. American Pharmacists Association. (2018). Medication Therapy Management. Retrieved from https://www.pharmacist.com/medication-therapy-management
3. Chisholm-Burns, M. A., Kim Lee, J., Spivey, C. A., Slack, M., Herrier, R. N., Hall-Lipsy, E., Zivin, J. G., Abraham, I., Palmer, J., Martin, J. R., Kramer, S. S., Wunz, T. (2010). US pharmacists’ effect as team members on patient care: Systematic review and meta-analyses. Medical Care, 48(10), 923–933.
4. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. (2017). Medicine Safety: Take Care. Retrieved from https://www.psa.org.au/safety
5. Blanchard, J., Madden, J. M., Freeman, M. K., Cordero, R. A., & Anderson, L. J. (2015). The evolving role of the community pharmacist in chronic disease management – A literature review. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 49(11), 1215–1231.
Keywords
1. Community Pharmacy Services
2. Medication Management Programs
3. Pharmacist Medication Therapy
4. Drug-Related Problem Interventions
5. Elderly Patient Medication Safety
Conclusion
The study offers compelling evidence supporting the critical role of pharmacists in optimizing medication therapy. It also demonstrates that real-world data is a powerful tool in illustrating the effectiveness and impact of MM services. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, community pharmacies remain a cornerstone of patient care, and the services provided by pharmacists will only grow in importance. Investing in and expanding these services could help improve health outcomes, elevate patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs. It is an opportunity for the healthcare system to further utilize the unique skills and expertise of pharmacists to enhance patient-centered care.