To keep you better informed about the biggest trends and developments affecting medication management, medication adherence, and pharmacy services, here are 10 of the most significant news reports published in April 2021. Highlights include the value of pharmacist-led interventions, excessive polypharmacy, deprescribing tips, medication synchronization, and medication adherence barriers.
1. Study Confirms What Many Suspect: Wide-Ranging Polypharmacy Practices Among Elderly with Dementia
A review of prescription drug claims for more than 1 million seniors with dementia reveals that many are being prescribed multiple central nervous system and neurologically active drugs despite little evidence that these medications are needed or whether they might interact with each other or other drugs being prescribed, reports, Neurology Today.
2. Pharmacist Interventions Can Improve Medication Safety for Older Care Home Residents, Study Finds
A systematic review finds that pharmacist-led interventions can reduce the incidence of adverse drug events in older people living in care homes, reports Pharmaceutical Journal.
3. Research Brief: How Pharmacists Contribute Meaningfully in Primary Health Care
Researchers demonstrated that comprehensive medication management (CMM) delivered by a pharmacist supports and aligns with the foundational elements of primary care.
4. Here's How Elders Want You to Talk to Them About Deprescribing: Survey
The results of a new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals dos and don'ts for physicians discussing deprescribing with older adults, reports McKnight's Long-Term Care News.
5. Barriers to Hepatitis C Medication Adherence
HCPLive reports on a new paper published in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health that identifies three main prongs for low medication adherence among hepatitis C patients: low awareness, unaffordable cost of follow-up labs, and development of complications.
6. Addressing Barriers to Lupus Medication Uptake in Minority Patients, with Kai Sun, MD
Dr. Kai Sun, a rheumatologist and assistant professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine, discusses the clinical implications of a study's findings on patient and provider barriers to medication adherence among minority patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with Rheumatology Advisor.
7. The Impact of a Medication Synchronization Program on Adherence and Patient Satisfaction
The results of a study published in Pharmacy Times show that a medication synchronization program within a health system pharmacy led to improved medication adherence, fewer pharmacy visits, and greater patient satisfaction.
8. With Drug Shortages and Errors on the Rise, Oncology Pharmacists are Vital Members of Patient Care Teams in Era of a Pandemic, According to HOPA
Leaders of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacists Association penned an open letter explaining why oncology pharmacists have become "trusted and essential members of the patient care team."
9. Study Affirms Oral Disease-Modifying Therapies are Well Tolerated With High Medication Adherence Rates
A study of patients receiving FDA-approved oral therapies used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis revealed high tolerance, low rates of adverse drug events, and similar medication adherence rates across all study medications.
10. Simple Steps for Managing Your Medications
Consumer Reports identifies steps consumers should take to make medication management easier. Among them: undergo an annual medication review.
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