Opening the Door for Pharmacy Services in Rheumatology Clinics

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-8-2025

Publication Title

Am J Health Syst Pharm

Abstract

Purpose: Treatment of moderate to severe rheumatologic diseases revolves around the use of specialty medications. Specialty medications are associated with high costs and significant adverse effect potential: additionally, these agents often require clinical monitoring. Comprehensive patient assessment is imperative to reduce the risk of discontinuation of these specialty medications. The objective of this study is to evaluate potential gaps in therapy for patients utilizing a specialty medication used to treat specific rheumatologic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: This study is designed as a medication use evaluation. Patients with a diagnosis of RA, PsA, and AS who filled a prescription of adalimumab, ixekizumab, baricitinib, tofacitinib, upadacitinib, tocilizumab, or sarilumab within our institution's specialty pharmacy between January 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024 will be included. Patients will be excluded if they used one of these medications for the treatment of multiple disease states. Data collection will include clinical adverse effect data, laboratory monitoring parameters, and patient out of pocket costs. Baseline characteristics will be expressed using descriptive statistics. This data will be collected from electronic medical records and prescription processing software. Continuous variables will be expressed as median and categorical variables will be expressed as proportions. The data from this study will help identify common reasons for non-adherence and management gaps in patients with rheumatologic disease states, with the objective of increasing pharmacist involvement in our clinics.

Volume

82

First Page

S1249

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