Research Projects Page

This study evaluated rates of adherence to biologic DMARDS, measured by proportion of days covered (PDC), across 20 health-system specialty pharmacies through the Health-System Specialty Pharmacy Outcomes Research Consortium. The final median PDC after accounting for appropriate gaps in therapy was high at 95% (IQR, 0.87-0.99), demonstrating the benefits of health-system specialty pharmacies in helping patients with RA remain on effective therapies.

Post-transplant patients require complex medication regimens to ensure the survival of the transplanted organ and patient overall well-being. These regimens are frequently adjusted, initiated, or discontinued within soon after transplant. Pharmacist expertise can be utilized to optimize post-transplant medication use. This study describes the creation and corresponding outcomes of a CPPA between pharmacists and physicians within a renal transplant clinic.

This online survey study of specialty clinic providers at 10 health-systems evaluated quality of services of integrated and external specialty pharmacies. The mean (SD) score for overall satisfaction with integrated specialty pharmacies was significantly higher than the score for satisfaction with external specialty pharmacies: 4.72 (0.58) vs 2.97 (1.20) out of 5; P

This descriptive report details the development and early results of the VSP Health Outcomes and Research Program. Started as an initiative for pharmacists to evaluate and convey the benefits they provide to patients, providers, and the health system, the Program has pioneered outcomes research among HSSPs nationwide and has proven valuable to specialty pharmacists, the health system, and key specialty pharmacy stakeholders.

This study compared patient access to dalfampridine before versus after Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy obtained access to dispense the drug. Findings highlight that VSP can help more patients start treatment and start faster when limited distribution networks are removed.

Adherence and persistence to specialty medications can be challenging during transitions in sites of care, provider types, specialty medications, and financial coverage changes. In this report, we review obstacles encountered within these transitions and the role of the specialty pharmacist in overcoming obstacles. Case examples for each type of specialty transition provide insight into the unique complexities faced by patients and shed light on pharmacists’ vital role in patient care.

Sorafenib and regorafenib are oral multikinase inhibitors used to treat some cancers, but adverse events for both drugs are common and often cause patients to discontinue therapy or reduce their dose within several months of initiating therapy. This study found that a pharmacist-initiated tailored intervention reduced sorafenib and regorafenib discontinuations (29% to 13%) and dose reductions due to adverse reactions (18% to 13%).

This study describes differences in asthma-related clinical outcomes by race in patients initiating biologic therapy. There was a difference in clinic engagement between groups based on race. Cancellations were higher in patients that identify as White, and no shows were higher in patients that identify as Black or African American/Other. Identifying barriers that lead to reduced clinical engagement may allow for improved health in these patients.

This study evaluates health-system specialty pharmacy (HSSP) pharmacists' roles in medication discontinuations, switches, and dose changes, focusing on cost avoidance. HSSP pharmacists intervene to ensure safe and effective use of specialty medications, preventing unnecessary costs. Pharmacists successfully avoided $129,705 - $162,133 in direct costs through their interventions. These findings support the employment and role of pharmacists in HSSPs, extending beyond prescription filling.

The purpose of the project is to redesign and align the specialty pharmacy Pharmacist Intervention (PI) Assessment with pharmacy organizations, published literature, and pharmacist feedback, allowing detailed documentation that clearly communicates the reason for and outcome of the pharmacist intervention. Key lessons learned are featured to outline steps for replicating the project in other health systems.