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Integrated pharmacy care linked to better patient outcomes

Savannah Roberts-Clary

Savannah Roberts-Clary, PharmD, FreseniusRx Pharmacy Clinical Liaison

Patients on dialysis face a number of challenges including a heavy medication burden that often includes 10 to 12 routine medications[1], some of which must be taken multiple times each day.

It’s estimated that more than half of patients with end stage renal disease do not take their phosphate binders as prescribed[2]. Medication adherence problems have been linked to higher rates of mortality for patients on dialysis[2].

It may be possible to improve adherence to prescription regimens through integrated pharmacy care with the support of an integrated pharmacy partner like FreseniusRx.

FreseniusRx provides clinic staff, nephrologists and patients additional support for medication adherence in several ways:

  • Convenient and timely delivery of medications to the patient’s home or clinic where allowed by law
  • Proactive outreach about upcoming prescription refills with seamless integration into clinic workflow
  • Medication review and reconciliation by pharmacists trained in the disease state
  • Education about available third-party prescription assistance options for patients with financial barriers
  • 24/7 access to pharmacists who specialize in renal medications

Research Shows Integrated Pharmacy Care May Impact Patient Lab Values

Previous research showed that coordinated pharmacy care may contribute to better lab outcomes for patients on dialysis. A new study reinforces that patients on service with FreseniusRx are more likely to achieve mineral and bone disorder lab goals than patients utilizing other pharmacies.

FreseniusRx partnered with Fresenius Medical Care North America to research the effect of coordinated pharmacy care on patients’ bone and mineral metabolism lab outcomes. The results of the study were published in the May 2017 cover article of Nephrology News & Issues[3].

The study involved 15,287 patients who utilized FreseniusRx for phosphate binders and/or calcimimetics, and a control group of 15,287 patients who used a other pharmacies. The study looked back at data over a 12-month period from February 2014 to January 2015.

Compared to the control group, FreseniusRx patients were more likely to achieve lab goals for calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. Successful achievement of lab goals for these combined values also increased over time.

  • 12.1% more likely after 3 months
  • 13.4% 6 more likely after months
  • 167% more likely after 9 months
  • 21.2% more likely after 12 months

Learn more about how pharmacists contribute to integrated care, and get to know the pharmacists at FreseniusRx who specialize in renal medications.

[1] Cardone KE, Bacchus S, Assimon MM, et al. Medication-related problems in CKD. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2010;17(5):404-412.

[2] Schmid H, Hartmann B, Schiffl H. Adherence to prescribed oral medication in adult patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis: A critical review of the literature. European Journal of Medical Research. 2009;14(5):185-190. doi:10.1186/2047-783X-14-5-185.

[3] Roberts-Clary S, Larkin JW, Matzke GR, Rosen S, Reviriego-Mendoza MM, Fox T, Usvyat LA, Hymes JL, Ketchersid TL, Maddux FW. Improvements in MBD lab outcomes associated with improved pharmaceutical care in hemodialysis patients. Nephrology News & Issues. May 2017; 31:05:26-32.