To keep you better informed about the biggest trends and developments affecting medication management, medication adherence, and clinical pharmacist services, here are 10 of the most significant news reports published in May. Highlights include stories on medication affordability, polypharmacy risks, muscle relaxants, and pharmacoequity.
1. Many Older Adults Can't Afford Prescription Drug Insurance
A study shows that while only 5% of older adults lacked prescription drug coverage in 2021, 20% reported financial hardship from prescription drug purchases. The inability to pay for prescription drugs is an important determinant of medication adherence.
2. Analysis Underscores Risks of Polypharmacy in Elderly Patients With Cancer
Research highlights the burden of polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications, and potential drug-interactions and drug–cancer treatment interactions among older patients with cancer.
3. Inappropriate Antibiotics Prescribed to Pediatric Population Inconsistent with "First, Do No Harm"
A study's results link inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in pediatrics to significant increased risk of adverse drug events and higher healthcare costs.
4. Study Pinpoints Prescribing Practices That May Raise Disability Risk for LTC Residents
A study finds that certain high-risk prescribing practices are tied to an increase in disability among older adults.
5. Red Flag Raised for Post-Op Muscle Relaxants in Older Adults
The results of a study raise concerns that one type of opioid alternative — muscle relaxants — may pose serious risks to some older adults.
6. 5 Positives To Sharing Clinical Notes With Your Patients
Among the benefits of patients seeing the notes physicians take during their visits: promotion of medication adherence.
7. We're Depriving Underserved Patients of the Best Drugs
An opinion column in Medpage Today draws attention to the challenges of achieving pharmacoequity.
8. Low Income Tied to Less Sacubitril/Valsartan Adherence in Patients With HFrEF
Research shows that patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and lower household income were less likely to file a prescription for sacubitril/valsartan and were less adherent to treatment compared with higher-income patients.
9. Osteoarthritis Management: Determine What Patients Know, Then Fill in Gaps
In patients using analgesics for pain control, pharmacists can help address medication adherence for improved osteoarthritis symptom control.
10. Adherence to ADHD Meds May Lower Unemployment Risk
Research suggests that adherence to medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to a significantly lower the risk for unemployment, particularly among women.
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