The Effects of Pharmacist-Led Medication Therapy Management on Medication Adherence and Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug in Patients with Pre-End Stage Renal Disease

Abstract

Purpose Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are particularly vulnerable to the risks of polypharmacy, largely owing to various comorbid conditions. This vulnerability is further compounded by an escalated risk of renal function deterioration when exposed to nephrotoxic medications. As part of the national health insurance program in Taiwan, the pre-end-stage kidney disease patient care and education plan has included pharmaceutical care since October 2021. This study aims to explore the effect of pharmacist involvement in a multidisciplinary care team for patients with kidney disease in outpatient settings. Patients and Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted at a single center. It analyzed data from May 2022 to May 2023, focusing on patients who received medication therapy management in the kidney disease pharmacist-managed clinic. The study assessed changes in patient medication adherence, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) usage, CKD stage, and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) after pharmacist intervention. It also documented pharmacists’ medication recommendations and the rate of acceptance by physicians. Results A total of 202 patients who had at least two clinic visits were included in the study. After pharmacist intervention, the proportion of poor medication adherence reduced significantly from 67.8% to 43.1% (p<0.001). The proportion of NSAID users also decreased significantly from 19.8% to 8.4% (p=0.001). CKD stage showed a significant reduction (p=0.007), and the average UPCR improved from 2828.4 to 2111.0 mg/g (p<0.001). The pharmacists provided a total of 56 medication recommendations, with an acceptance rate of 86%. Conclusion The involvement of pharmacists in the multidisciplinary care team can effectively provide medication-related recommendations, ensuring the effectiveness and safety of patients’ medication use, and lead to better kidney function and lower proteinuria.