Factors affecting the delivery of community pharmacist-led medication reviews: evidence from the MedsCheck annual service in Ontario. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pechlivanoglou, Petros; Abrahamyan, Lusine; MacKeigan, Linda; Consiglio, Giulia; Dolovich, Lisa; Li, Ping; Cadarette, Suzanne; Rac, Valeria; Shin, Jonghyun; Krahn, Murray
• Is Part Of: BMC health services research. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Medication review -- Pharmacy -- Predictors -- Community -- Elderly; Public health -- Research -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Research -- Periodicals; 362.1072
• DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1888-2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6963

Abstract

Abstract Background Medication reviews have become part of pharmacy practice across developed countries. This study aimed to identify factors affecting the likelihood of eligible Ontario seniors receiving a pharmacy-led medication review called MedsCheck annual (MCA). Methods We designed a cohort study using a random sample of pharmacy claims for MCA-eligible Ontario seniors using linked administrative data from April 2012 to March 2013. Guided by a conceptual framework, we constructed a generalized-estimating-equations model to estimate the effect of patient, pharmacy and community factors on the likelihood of receiving MCA. Results Of the 2, 878, 958 eligible claim-dates, 65, 605 included an MCA. Compared to eligible individuals who did not receive an MCA, recipients were more likely to have a prior MCA (OR = 3.03), receive a new medication on the claim-date (OR = 1.78), be hypertensive (OR = 1.18) or have a recent hospitalization (OR = 1.07). MCA recipients had fewer medications (e.g., OR = 0.44 for ≥12 medications versus 0–4 medications), and were less likely to receive an MCA in a rural (OR = 0.74) or high-volume pharmacy (OR = 0.65). Conclusions The most important determinant of receiving an MCA was having had a prior MCA. Overall, MCA recipients were healthier, younger, urban-dwelling, and taking fewer medications than non-recipients. Policies regarding current and future medication review programs may need to evolve to ensure that those at greatest need receive timely and comprehensive medication reviews.