Research Projects Page

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 evaluated how the integrated specialty pharmacy model successful in treating HCV in the pediatric population

This study evaluated the impact of delayed insurance approval on outcomes in patients prescribed alternate doses of biologic therapy for the treatment of IBD. Researchers found that longer time to insurance approval of a higher biologic dosing regimen was associated with an increase in C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker, in at least 45 days after the decision to escalate dose, suggesting the longer time to approval, the less likely to see an improvement in C-reactive protein.

This study evaluated prescription cannabidiol (CBD) outcomes during the first 12 months of therapy. Many patients (37%) utilized emergency healthcare services after CBD initiation. Prescription CBD was discontinued in 31 patients due to major side effects, common side effects, and unsatisfactory response. There was no significant change in concomitant ASM use.

This study examined the association between patient characteristics and patient-reported outcomes for patients prescribed specialty medications from rheumatology or multiple sclerosis clinics in two HSSPs for 3,677 patients over 30 months. Patients reporting tolerability issues or lower perceived effectiveness were more likely to report a missed dose.

Evaluated the rate and reasons for Primary Medication Nonadherence (PMN) to specialty oral oncology medications in Health System Specialty Pharmacies (HSSP). Multisite retrospective cohort study across 7 HSSP sites. Most patients (89%) prescribed oral oncology treatment at HSSP initiated therapy. Primary medication nonadherence was mostly due to patient decision.

This study assessed the appropriateness of the chronic inhaler regimen for patients admitted to the hospital based on clinical practice guidelines and insurance coverage.

This study evaluated reasons for and rates of primary medication nonadherence to specialty DMARDs in patients with RA referred to an integrated health systems specialty pharmacy