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Comparing the cost, glycaemic control and medication adherence of utilizing patients’ own medicines (POMs) versus usual dispensing among diabetic patients in an outpatient setting

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Abstract

Background

Millions worth of unused drugs particularly those indicated for chronic diseases such as diabetes were returned and disposed leading to substantial wastage. Use of patients’ own medications (POMs) in the inpatient setting has reduced wastage and saved cost. The impact of utilizing POMs in the outpatient setting has hitherto not been determined.

Purpose

This study aims to compare the cost, medication adherence and glycaemic control of utilizing POMs versus usual dispensing.

Methods

Prospective randomized controlled study was conducted among diabetic patients that required monthly medication refill in the Outpatient Pharmacy in 2017. Patients who consented were equally divided into POMs and control groups. Both groups brought excess medications from home at week-0 and week-12. Patients in the POMs group brought excess medications monthly and sufficient amount of drugs were added until the next refill date. Drugs were dispensed as usual in the control group. Total cost consisting of the cost of drugs, staff and building was calculated. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured at baseline and week-12. Adherence was measured based on pill counting.

Results

Thirty patients aged 56.77 ± 14.67 years with 13.37 ± 7.36 years of diabetes participated. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. POMs minimized the total cost by 38.96% which translated to a cost saving of USD 42.76 ± 6.98, significantly different versus USD 0.02 ± 0.52 in the control group, p = 0.025. Mean HbA1c reduced significantly (−0.79%, p = 0.016) in the POMs group but not significant in the control group (−0.11%, p = 0.740). Medication adherence improved significantly in both groups at week-12 (p < 0.010). Nevertheless, patients in the POMs group were more adherent, 87.20% vs. 66.32%, p = 0.034.

Conclusion

Utilizing POMs resulted in cost saving, improved adherence and better glycaemic control. Use of POMs should be practiced in the outpatient pharmacy to reduce wastage and cost.

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Acknowledgements

There is no funding involved in this study. The authors thank the Director General of Health Malaysia for the permission to publish this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Penang, Malaysia

    Phei Ching Lim, Yin Ying Chung, Shien Joo Tan, Te Ying Wong, Durga Devi Permalu & Thean Kheng Cheah

  2. Medical Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Penang, Malaysia

    Shueh Lin Lim

  3. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

    Chong Yew Lee

Authors
  1. Phei Ching Lim
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Contributions

PCL and SLL designed and planned the study. PCL, YYC, SJT, TYW, DD, and TKC conducted the study and collected tha data. PCL analysed the data. PCL and CYL wrote the report.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chong Yew Lee.

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Ethical approval

Ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Research Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health, Malaysia (NMRR-17-538-35,079).

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Lim, P.C., Chung, Y.Y., Tan, S.J. et al. Comparing the cost, glycaemic control and medication adherence of utilizing patients’ own medicines (POMs) versus usual dispensing among diabetic patients in an outpatient setting. DARU J Pharm Sci 29, 125–132 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40199-021-00389-6

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