Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist Intervention on Medicine Costs in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in India

Suhaj Abdulsalim (), Mazhuvancherry Kesavan Unnikrishnan (), Mohan K. Manu (), Saud Alsahali (), Alian A. Alrasheedy (), Antony P. Martin (), Brian Godman () and Abubakr A. Alfadl ()
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Suhaj Abdulsalim: Qassim University
Mazhuvancherry Kesavan Unnikrishnan: MCOPS, Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Mohan K. Manu: Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Saud Alsahali: Qassim University
Alian A. Alrasheedy: Qassim University
Antony P. Martin: University of Liverpool Management School
Brian Godman: University of Liverpool Management School
Abubakr A. Alfadl: Qassim University

PharmacoEconomics - Open, 2020, vol. 4, issue 2, No 13, 342 pages

Abstract: Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India. Medicine costs are a key issue in LMICs, with typically high patient co-payments. In addition, pharmacists are underutilised in LMICs, including India. However, pharmacist-led educational interventions may improve the care of patients with COPD, as well as reduce medicine costs. Consequently, the objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led intervention in reducing medicine costs. Methodology We assessed the impact of a pharmacist intervention on direct medicine costs in COPD patients (medicine costs and pharmacist time) in a randomised controlled study involving an intervention and control group, conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. Results The 6-monthly cost of medicines at baseline increased with disease severity, from a maximum of US$29.46 for those with mild COPD to US$63.28 for those with very severe COPD. Substantial savings in medical costs were achieved with the pharmacist-led programme, to a maximum of US$20.49 over 6 months for very severe patients. This equates to a reduction of 30.6% in medicine costs (p

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s41669-019-0172-x

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