title: Impact of an integrated oral chemotherapy program on patient adherence.
abstract: As the use of oral chemotherapy continues to rise, the issue of patient adherence is a concerning aspect of cancer treatment. In this concurrent prospective and retrospective study, we assessed oral chemotherapy adherence in patients receiving their prescriptions at an institutional specialty pharmacy, with an integrated oral chemotherapy program. The primary endpoint is medication possession ratio. Secondary endpoints include self-reported adherence comparing survey data before and after the introduction of the oral chemotherapy program to assess the impact of the comprehensive pharmacy services provided. Patients receiving their oral chemotherapy from the institutional specialty pharmacy have a mean medication possession ratio of 0.92, indicating excellent adherence rates. The oncology clinical pharmacist, in collaboration with the specialty pharmacy, has also decreased the rates of patient-reported non-adherence.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.|2 University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.|2 University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Benyam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Muluneh
authors.affiliation: 3 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Biostatistics Core, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Allison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Deal
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.|2 University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsey B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Amerine
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Oral chemotherapy adherence; clinical pharmacy practitioner; specialty pharmacy