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Improving Osteoporosis Management in General Practice: A Pharmacist-Led Drug Use Evaluation Program

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a drug use evaluation (DUE) program on osteoporosis management in general practice.

Methods

A DUE program, led by pharmacists integrated into two general practice clinics in Melbourne, Australia, was undertaken as part of the Pharmacists in Practice Study. Data on use of anti-osteoporosis medicines and calcium and vitamin D supplements were collected at baseline and 12 months. Following the baseline audit, an intervention comprising prescriber feedback, group education and individual case-conferences with prescribers, and patient education mail-outs was implemented. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis and without contraindications to anti-osteoporosis medicines who were prescribed an anti-osteoporosis medicine. Feedback from practice staff and pharmacists was explored qualitatively to evaluate the acceptability of the program.

Results

The proportion of patients without documented contraindications to osteoporosis therapies who were prescribed an anti-osteoporosis medicine increased significantly (134/227 [59.0 %] vs. 168/240 [70.0 %], p = 0.002). The proportion of patients for whom vitamin D and/or calcium supplement use was documented also increased significantly (145/227 [63.9 %] vs. 205/240 [85.4 %], p = 0.002). Practice staff and pharmacists were generally positive about the DUE program.

Conclusions

A practice pharmacist-led DUE program improved the management of osteoporosis in general practice.

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Acknowledgments

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

We thank the Windermere Foundation for their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Edwin C. K. Tan, Johnson George, Kay Stewart & Rohan A. Elliott

  2. Pharmacy Department, Austin Health, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia

    Rohan A. Elliott

Authors
  1. Edwin C. K. Tan
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  2. Johnson George
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  3. Kay Stewart
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  4. Rohan A. Elliott
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Correspondence to Rohan A. Elliott.

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Tan, E.C.K., George, J., Stewart, K. et al. Improving Osteoporosis Management in General Practice: A Pharmacist-Led Drug Use Evaluation Program. Drugs Aging 31, 703–709 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-014-0194-0

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