Avella Specialty Pharmacy: Study finds that pharmacist intervention saves almost $30,000 monthly
PHOENIX — As part of a study conducted with the University of Arizona, Avella Specialty Pharmacy proved the value of pharmacist intervention in improving patient outcomes, at least in renal transplant patients, to the tune of $27,852 per month, Avella announced Thursday. The study found that participants in the intervention group had a statistically significant improvement in adherence rates over patients in the control group who did not have a contract or receive support to ensure adherence to their monthly medication therapy. The study also found that patients who complied with their medication regimens had fewer inpatient and outpatient visits and were 78% more likely not to be hospitalized, hence the monthly savings.
Avella Specialty Pharmacy partnered with researchers at the University of Arizona on a National Institute of Health study to assess the effects of a year-long behavioral contract intervention among patients on a specific medication regimen.
“Avella Specialty Pharmacy realizes the importance of optimal patient outcomes,” stated Eric Sredzinski, EVP clinical affairs and quality assurance for Avella Specialty Pharmacy. “We believe that to deliver clinical excellence, we need to provide more than just prescription medications. Participation in this study allowed us to see the value of behavioral contracts as a tool to improve outcomes and make a difference in patients’ lives.”
The study sample included renal transplant recipients who were at least one year post-transplant and served by Avella Specialty Pharmacy. Participants included in the intervention group each signed a behavioral contract that included a desired outcome they wanted to achieve by the end of the study. The remaining participants were placed in a control group and were not given a behavioral contract. Over the year-long study, clinical pharmacists and participants in the intervention group regularly collaborated to identify adherence barriers including disruptions in medication therapy routine such as occasional work-related travel. The patients and pharmacists worked together to develop patient-centered solutions to barriers. Participants in the control group were monitored to determine their level of adherence.
A video explaining the study can be found at Avella.com/adherence.