Dataset Information

Association Between Pharmacy Closures and Adherence to Cardiovascular Medications Among Older US Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

It is unknown whether and how pharmacy closures alter medication adherence.

Objective

To examine the association between pharmacy closures and adherence to statins, β-blockers, and oral anticoagulants among adults 50 years or older in the United States.

Design, setting, and participants

In this retrospective cohort study, comparative interrupted time series analyses were performed using a nationally representative 5% random sample of anonymized, longitudinal, individual-level pharmacy claims from IQVIA LRx LifeLink. Analyses included all prescription claims for individuals followed up between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016. Separate cohorts were derived for users of statins, β-blockers, and oral anticoagulants. The differential association of pharmacy closure was examined as a function of baseline adherence, pharmacy, and individual characteristics.

Main outcomes and measures

Difference in monthly adherence, measured as proportion of days covered, during 12-month baseline and follow-up periods among patients using a pharmacy that subsequently closed (closure cohort) compared with their counterparts (control cohort).

Results

Among 3 089 803 individuals filling at least 1 statin prescription between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016 (mean [SD] age, 66.3 [9.3] years; 52.0% female), 3.0% (n = 92 287) filled at a pharmacy that subsequently closed. Before closure, monthly adherence was similar in the closure and control cohorts (mean [SD], 70.5% [26.7%] vs 70.7% [26.5%]). In multivariable models, individuals filling at pharmacies that closed experienced an immediate and significant decline (on average, an absolute change of -5.90%; 95% CI, -6.12% to -5.69%) in statin adherence during the first 3 months after closure compared with their counterparts. This difference persisted over 12 months of follow-up. A similar decline in adherence was observed when examining cohorts using β-blockers (-5.71%; 95% CI, -5.96% to -5.46%) or oral anticoagulants (-5.63%; 95% CI, -6.24% to -5.01%). The mean association of pharmacy closure with adherence was greater among individuals using independent pharmacies (-7.89%; 95% CI, -8.32% to -7.47%) or living in neighborhoods with fewer pharmacies (-7.98%; 95% CI, -8.50% to -7.47%) compared with their counterparts.

Conclusions and relevance

Pharmacy closures are associated with persistent, clinically significant declines in adherence to cardiovascular medications among older adults in the United States. Efforts to reduce nonadherence to prescription medications should consider the role of pharmacy closures, especially among patients at highest risk.

SUBMITTER: Qato DM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6481442 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Association Between Pharmacy Closures and Adherence to Cardiovascular Medications Among Older US Adults.

Qato Dima M DM Alexander G Caleb GC Chakraborty Apurba A Guadamuz Jenny S JS Jackson John W JW

JAMA network open 20190405 4

<h4>Importance</h4>It is unknown whether and how pharmacy closures alter medication adherence.<h4>Objective</h4>To examine the association between pharmacy closures and adherence to statins, β-blockers, and oral anticoagulants among adults 50 years or older in the United States.<h4>Design, setting, and participants</h4>In this retrospective cohort study, comparative interrupted time series analyses were performed using a nationally representative 5% random sample of anonymized, longitudinal, ind ...[more]

PMID: 31002324

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Dataset Information

Association Between Pharmacy Closures and Adherence to Cardiovascular Medications Among Older US Adults.

Importance

Objective

Design, setting, and participants

Main outcomes and measures

Results

Conclusions and relevance

Publications

Association Between Pharmacy Closures and Adherence to Cardiovascular Medications Among Older US Adults.

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