INNOVATIONS in pharmacy
Persistent link for this community
A quarterly publication featuring case studies, clinical experiences, commentaries, idea papers, original research, review articles, and student projects that focus on leading edge, novel ideas for improving, modernizing, and advancing pharmacy practice, education, and policy.
Browse
Browsing INNOVATIONS in pharmacy by Subject "Adherence"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Medication Adherence of Patient Assistance Program Recipients: A Pilot Study(University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, 2012-10) Conley, Christian S.; Hughes, Peter J.Purpose: Evaluate medication adherence of prescription assistance program recipients at an inner-city clinic. Methods: Surveys were administered at enrollment and 6 months following enrollment to patients who were either recipients of at least one patient assistance program (PAP) or had prescription benefits through Alabama Medicaid. Data on patient demographics, Morisky Medication Adherence Survey (MMAS) scores, mean possession ratio (MPR), and drug classes were collected for 6 months. Results: The baseline MMAS score concluded that both the PAP group and Alabama Medicaid group were highly motivated and highly knowledgeable regarding adherence to prescribed medications. After 6 months, administration of the same MMAS instrument resulted in a category change in the PAP group from highly motivated and knowledgeable to low motivation and high knowledge. The Medicaid MMAS adherence category did not change from baseline after 6 months. The 6-month mean MPR for the PAP and Medicaid groups were 0.542 and 0.823, respectively. Conclusion: Providing free or low-cost medication plus customary counseling should not be the sole interventions for the uninsured patient. In this study, PAP recipient MMAS score change and low mean MPR suggest that additional interventions are needed to ensure that PAP recipients adhere to prescribed therapies.Item Unit-of-Use Versus Traditional Bulk Packaging(University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, 2012) So, Tiffany; Wertheimer, AlbertBackground: The choice between unit-of-use versus traditional bulk packaging in the US has long been a continuous debate for drug manufacturers and pharmacies in order to have the most efficient and safest practices. Understanding the benefits of using unit-of-use packaging over bulk packaging by US drug manufacturers in terms of workflow efficiency, economical costs and medication safety in the pharmacy is sometimes challenging. Methods: A time-saving study comparing the time saved using unit-of-use packaging versus bulk packaging, was examined. Prices between unit-of-use versus bulk packages were compared by using the Red Book: Pharmacy’s Fundamental Reference. Other articles were reviewed on the topics of counterfeiting, safe labeling, and implementation of unit-of-use packaging. Lastly, a cost-saving study was reviewed showing how medication adherence, due to improved packaging, could be cost-effective for patients. Results: When examining time, costs, medication adherence, and counterfeiting arguments, unit-of-use packaging proved to be beneficial for patients in all these terms.