Brian R Lauer1, Joan M Duggan2, Lindsey Eitniear3, Rose Jung4, Eric G Sahloff4. 1. 24575University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. 2. Division of Infectious Diseases, 89021College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA. 3. Department of Pharmacy, 70257University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, USA. 4. College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few published studies have examined the relationship between pharmacy location and retention in care or clinical outcome in people living with HIV (PLWH). OBJECTIVE: The study purpose was to determine whether using an on-site/in-clinic pharmacy to obtain antiretroviral therapy increased retention in care and virologic suppression rates. METHODS: PLWH attending a Ryan White outpatient clinic in an academic center were matched based on age and insurance. Rates of retention in care ( ≥2 medical visits/calendar year) were assessed between patients using a pharmacy on-site in the clinic versus patients use off-site pharmacy options. Virologic suppression [viral load(VL)<200 copies/mL], completing ≥2 VL, and CD4 count were compared between pharmacy types. RESULTS: 137 on-site pharmacy patients and 274 off-site pharmacy patients met inclusion and matching criteria. 91.2% of on-site pharmacy users attended ≥2 clinic visits compared to 83.2% of off-site pharmacy users (P = .0275) and were approximately twice as likely to complete ≥2 clinic visits (odds ratio: 2.032; 1.071-3.857). A similar proportion of the on-site pharmacy group achieved virologic suppression compared to the off-site pharmacy group (92.7% vs 89.1%; P = .239, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: On-site pharmacies may provide an opportunity to positively impact retention in care and clinical outcomes for PLWH.
BACKGROUND: Few published studies have examined the relationship between pharmacy location and retention in care or clinical outcome in people living with HIV (PLWH). OBJECTIVE: The study purpose was to determine whether using an on-site/in-clinic pharmacy to obtain antiretroviral therapy increased retention in care and virologic suppression rates. METHODS: PLWH attending a Ryan White outpatient clinic in an academic center were matched based on age and insurance. Rates of retention in care ( ≥2 medical visits/calendar year) were assessed between patients using a pharmacy on-site in the clinic versus patients use off-site pharmacy options. Virologic suppression [viral load(VL)<200 copies/mL], completing ≥2 VL, and CD4 count were compared between pharmacy types. RESULTS: 137 on-site pharmacy patients and 274 off-site pharmacy patients met inclusion and matching criteria. 91.2% of on-site pharmacy users attended ≥2 clinic visits compared to 83.2% of off-site pharmacy users (P = .0275) and were approximately twice as likely to complete ≥2 clinic visits (odds ratio: 2.032; 1.071-3.857). A similar proportion of the on-site pharmacy group achieved virologic suppression compared to the off-site pharmacy group (92.7% vs 89.1%; P = .239, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: On-site pharmacies may provide an opportunity to positively impact retention in care and clinical outcomes for PLWH.
Entities:
Keywords:
HIV; adherence; pharmacy; retention in care; viral load