Results of the implementation of a pharmaceutical care programme for patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present work was to establish a specialised pharmaceutical care programme for patients with multiple sclerosis in order to analyse its effects on patient satisfaction, the detection of drug-related problems, and the identification and resolution of negative outcomes associated with medication. Methods This was a prospective, longitudinal study with a pre/post-exposure design regarding the pharmaceutical care programme implemented: in bimonthly visits the pharmacist identified, detected and resolved drug-related problems and negative outcomes, and also provided information about the treatment. All patients with multiple sclerosis treated with immunomodulatory drugs from 1 June to 31 December 2011 were included in the study. A Likert scale questionnaire was used before and 6 months after the implementation to assess its impact on perceived patient satisfaction. Results In all, 32 patients (20 women and 12 men), with an age of 39.7±8.3 years were included. A total of 26 were receiving treatment with interferon β and 6 with glatiramer acetate. All items assessing the pharmacist's skills and interest in the patient along with those assessing the information received by the patient showed significant improvement (p<0.001). Overall satisfaction also improved significantly (p=0.016). Of the 13 negative outcomes associated with medication identified, 9 were resolved. Eight negative outcomes were classified as ‘non-quantitative safety problems’ and two as ‘untreated health problems’ were due to the drug-related problem ‘probability of adverse effects’. Three classified as ‘quantitative ineffectiveness’ were due to an ‘insufficiently treated health problem’. Conclusions The implementation of a specialised pharmaceutical care programme led to a significant improvement in perceived patient satisfaction. It has also allowed for better detection of drug-related problems and identification and resolution of negative outcomes associated with medication.

Drug-related problems: An observational study at an Integrated Health Center

“…during drug prescribing, dispensing, administration, and storage General drug-related issues, duplication, and misuse or misuse of medications that also impact adherence to pharmacotherapy can lead to serious patient outcomes, helping to increase their health problems, ie morbidity and mortality. In the adult-elderly population, due to the increasing number of chronic diseases, polypharmacy exposes these patients to negative health outcomes, as well as increasing health risks 2,3,[7][8][9][10] .…”

A atenção farmacêutica no tratamento para esclerose múltipla / Pharmaceutical care in the treatment for multiple sclerosis

“…, nesse sentido, os medicamentos disponíveis têm demonstrado efeitos benéficos significativos para pacientes com esclerose múltipla, principalmente em RR-MS: reduzir a frequência de recidivas, reduzir a progressão da incapacidade e retardar o acúmulo de lesões detectadas na ressonância magnética(SÁNCHEZ et al, 2014).As primeiras descrições de medicamentos para o tratamento da esclerose múltipla datam do final do século passado, quando a agência americana Food and Drug Brazilian Journal of Development, Curitiba, v.7, n.11, p. 109371-109387 nov. 2021 Administration (FDA) autorizou o uso da betainterferona no tratamento dessa doença. Esta droga ainda é usada hoje como a droga de primeira escolha.…”