PATTERNS OF MEDICATION-RELATED PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED DURING A SIX-MONTH MEDICATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

Purpose: Using data from a parent study that evaluated a comprehensive medication management program, this study sought to follow the types of medication-related problems (MRPs) identified at baseline and describe patterns of MRPs over the course of the intervention. The study also examined the most prevalent drug classes contributing to MRPs. Methods: The study examined MRPs at baseline and at 6 months. Drugs were consolidated into a representative therapeutic class. Data on MRPs and drugs had been previously recorded by clinical pharmacists in the study database. Results: 273 MRPs were found at baseline and were reduced to 22 MRPs at 6 months. The most prevalent MRPs at baseline were suboptimal drug (31%), suboptimal dosing (23%), nonadherence (21%), and undertreatment (19%). In comparison, the most prevalent MRP at 6 months was nonadherence (64%), followed by suboptimal drug (14%). At baseline, the most prevalent drugs contributing to overall MRPs were calcium and vitamin D in the category of suboptimal dosing. At 6 months, calcium and vitamin D continued to be the most frequent set of drugs contributing to overall MRPs (32% of the 22 drugs). The second most frequent contributor was antilipidemics, occurring 14% overall. Conclusions: The medication management program was successful in significantly reducing the number and type of MRPS over 6 months. Calcium, vitamin D, and antilipidemics were identified as the most common set of drugs contributing to MRPs. The most common MRP at baseline was suboptimal drug compared to nonadherence at 6 months.