Julie A Patterson, David A Holdford1, Kunai Saxena. 1. Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Sciences, McGuire Hall, Room 213, PO Box 980533, 1112 East Clay St, Richmond, VA 23298-0533. E-mail: daholdfo@vcu.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost-benefit of appointment-based medication synchronization (ABMS) offered in community pharmacies for patients taking chronic medications to prevent negative outcomes associated with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: Decision-tree analysis based on published literature and publicly available data. METHODS: Program benefits were based on linking published findings of improvements in medication adherence due to the implementation of an ABMS program to a claims-based study of disease-related medical costs associated with different levels of adherence. The direct cost of the program-increased medication utilization as a result of improved adherence-was calculated from publicly available prescription pricing data. Benefit-cost ratios were assessed from a payer perspective over a 1-year time frame. RESULTS: Additional medication expenditures due to improved adherence associated with ABMS enrollment were offset by lower disease-specific medical costs. Medical savings per additional dollar spent on medications ranged from approximately $1 to $37 depending on the medication and medication class considered. ABMS was most cost-beneficial for metformin and statins. Sensitivity analyses showed that cost-benefit was significantly impacted by medication costs and any service fees associated with ABMS. CONCLUSIONS: ABMS programs have been shown to increase medication adherence in patients taking chronic medications. These programs were shown to have a significant cost-benefit for healthcare payers by reducing medical utilization and costs. Payers should consider supporting the provision of these programs in community pharmacies.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost-benefit of appointment-based medication synchronization (ABMS) offered in community pharmacies for patients taking chronic medications to prevent negative outcomes associated with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: Decision-tree analysis based on published literature and publicly available data. METHODS: Program benefits were based on linking published findings of improvements in medication adherence due to the implementation of an ABMS program to a claims-based study of disease-related medical costs associated with different levels of adherence. The direct cost of the program-increased medication utilization as a result of improved adherence-was calculated from publicly available prescription pricing data. Benefit-cost ratios were assessed from a payer perspective over a 1-year time frame. RESULTS: Additional medication expenditures due to improved adherence associated with ABMS enrollment were offset by lower disease-specific medical costs. Medical savings per additional dollar spent on medications ranged from approximately $1 to $37 depending on the medication and medication class considered. ABMS was most cost-beneficial for metformin and statins. Sensitivity analyses showed that cost-benefit was significantly impacted by medication costs and any service fees associated with ABMS. CONCLUSIONS: ABMS programs have been shown to increase medication adherence in patients taking chronic medications. These programs were shown to have a significant cost-benefit for healthcare payers by reducing medical utilization and costs. Payers should consider supporting the provision of these programs in community pharmacies.
Authors: Suzete Costa; José Guerreiro; Inês Teixeira; Dennis K Helling; João Pereira; Céu Mateus Journal: Front Pharmacol Date: 2022-09-08 Impact factor: 5.988