Newly published research shows cystic fibrosis patients stay on therapy, thanks to AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy

Newly published research in the Journal of Drug Assessment shows cystic fibrosis (CF) patients stay on therapy, thanks to support programs in place at AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy. 

CF is a progressive, autosomal recessive genetic disease that impacts multiple organs and systems, including the lungs. The disease causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. CF is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. In people with CF, changes in this gene can disrupt the normal production or functioning of the CFTR protein found in the cells of the lungs and other parts of the body. Patients with CF experience excessive mucus build up and infections leading to complications in the pancreas, lungs, and other organs. Since the introduction of the first CFTR modulator in 2012 and subsequent CFTR modulator approvals, these medications have significantly changed the treatment options for patients with CF.

In late 2019, AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, in partnership with Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, announced results of research analyzing data from CF patients prescribed CFTR modulator medications. Researchers wanted to understand if patients took their medications as prescribed, as well as the financial impact of the medications on patients. While the findings showed positive adherence to the medications, they also revealed a substantial financial burden on both patients and third-party payers attributable to the medications.

Highlights from the study:
 

•  The advent of CFTR modulator therapies, which target specific defects in CFTR protein function caused by gene mutations, has revolutionized the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF).
 

•  With these highly effective medications also comes a high annual drug acquisition cost and increased out-of-pocket spending for patients.
 

•  An increase in utilization of CFTR modulators along with high cost has led to increased scrutiny from healthcare stakeholders, especially with regard to medication adherence.
 

•  Medication adherence was calculated in patients taking a CFTR modulator (i.e., Kalydeco, Orkambi and Symdeko) using the AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy pharmacy database (sample size of 2548 patients).

•  The mean adherence rate calculated using proportion of days covered (PDC) for all three medications, was 0.86, with individual drug PDC as follows: Symdeko – 0.92 and Orkambi and Kalydeco both at 0.84. This is significant as prior studies have indicated a PDC above 0.80 is a surrogate marker for patient adherence to prescribed medications – and all three CTFR modulators in the study exceeded the 0.80 PDC threshold. 
 

•  High PDC values in this study may be attributed to the AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy Connected Care CF patient management program:

º  The program is delivered by a dedicated cross-functional CF team including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, patient care advocates, and insurance specialists who provide drug utilization reviews, patient counseling, timely reminders for medication refills, side-effect monitoring, and financial assistance – all of which are designed to maximize patient adherence and outcomes.
 

º  The study results show the important role AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy plays in delivering better patient outcomes for high cost, high touch medications through coordinated patient care and disease management services.

º  AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy closely monitors patients and follows up with them on a regular basis to improve treatment benefit.

Note: While Trikafta was not included in the study (it was not yet approved for CF treatment) similar adherence levels would be expected – although additional studies would be required to validate.

Rick Miller, BSPharm, MBA, MSPharm, CSP, vice president of Clinical and Professional Services at AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, attributes the positive findings to the support the pharmacy’s dedicated CF team provides its CF patients.

Rick Miller, BSPharm, MSPharm, MBA, CSP, 
Vice President, Clinical and Professional Services

“The research validates all of the work AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy’s operations team does to support these patients. Kudos to the respiratory team, our dedicated CF team and all operations team members who support our CF patient population,” he says. “The research   reinforces the value of  our patient management process by proving our hypothesis that the Connected Care CF program positively impacts PDC.”

He adds: “Patients, prescribers, third-party payers and pharmaceutical manufacturers can count on AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy to provide excellent patient care to the CF patient population – as proven by the outcomes of this and similar studies.” 

Looking for additional information about cystic fibrosis?
 

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