BACKGROUND: The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality, thus increasing life expectancy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals, transforming HIV into a chronic disease. Accordingly, there has been an increase in the number of comorbidities concomitantly present in these individuals and also an increased use of comedications, which may negatively impact antiretroviral therapy adherence. These factors can affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy. The role of the HIV clinical pharmacist is essential to achieve therapeutic objectives and enhance adherence. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of the comorbidities and comedications on antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV-infected patients receiving services from a clinical pharmacist. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study that included HIV-infected outpatients who attended the pharmaceutical care office of a hospital pharmacy service, which initiated antiretro...

Pharmacists may be tasked to lead antibiotic stewardship programmes (ASP) implementation in small hospitals in absence of infectious diseases (ID) physicians. The objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led ASP in a hospital without ID physician support, with special focus on indicators of the hospital use of antimicrobial agents based on consumption and asess the potential clinical and economic impact of pharmacist interventions (PIs) through the CLEO tool. A prospective quasi-experimental study to implement an ASP in a 194-bed hospital. We evaluated changes in antimicrobial use measured as mean defined daily doses per 1000 patient-days (AUD) for intervention versus preintervention period. A total of 847 antimicrobial PIs were proposed, being 88.3% accepted. Discontinuation due to excessive duration was the most frequently performed PI (23.4%). Most of PIs was classified as major or moderate clinical impact, 41.7% and 37.8% respectively. The global consumption of antimicrobial was reduced from 907.1 to 693.8 AUD, with a signifcant drop in carbapenems and quinolones. Direct expenditure of antibiotics decreased significantly. Pharmacist-led ASP has being effective in reducing consumption of antibiotics. In the absence of ID physician´s support and oversight, pharmacists could lead the improvement of the use of antimicrobials.

ResumenObjetivoAnalizar el impacto de una estrategia de adecuación de ranelato de estroncio tras la emisión de recomendaciones, en base a las notas de farmacovigilancia emitidas por la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios, así como el grado de aceptación.DiseñoEstudio prospectivo de intervención desde abril de 2012 a noviembre de 2014.EmplazamientoÁrea de Gestión Sanitaria Sur de Sevilla.ParticipantesPacientes con prescripción activa de ranelato de estroncio.IntervencionesSe realizó en cuatro fases, ligada a la emisión de notas de farmacovigilancia sobre ranelato de estroncio por la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios, listados de pacientes y recomendaciones de adecuación.Mediciones principalesAdecuación del tratamiento con ranelato de estroncio y grado de aceptación de las recomendaciones por los facultativos.ResultadosDesde el inicio del estudio, con 182 pacientes incluidos, hasta el comienzo de la revisión de la adecuación por farmacia, se produjo una reducción del 87,9%. La prescripción de ranelato de estroncio era inadecuada en 16 pacientes de los 22; 11 por no cumplir criterios de tratamiento, tres por no haber tenido tratamiento previo con otros medicamentos para prevención de fracturas y dos por contraindicación. El grado de aceptación de las recomendaciones fue del 87,5%, produciéndose en diez pacientes la suspensión de ranelato de estroncio y en cuatro, el cambio a alendrónico o alendrónico/colecalciferol.ConclusionesEl número de pacientes con prescripción de ranelato de estroncio ha disminuido considerablemente. Las intervenciones dirigidas a la revisión de la adecuación del tratamiento, en base a las alertas de farmacovigilancia han sido efectivas.AbstractObjectiveTo analyse the impact of a strategy on the suitability of strontium ranelate, and its level of acceptance, after issuing recommendations based on drug surveillance alerts issued by the Spanish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency.DesignA prospective interventional study conducted from April 2012 to November 2014.SettingSouth Seville Health Management Area.ParticipantsPatients currently prescribed with strontium ranelate.InterventionsThe study consisted of four phases linked to the issue of drug surveillance alerts on strontium ranelate by the Spanish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, listed by patients and suitability recommendations.Main measurementsSuitability of strontium ranelate treatment and the level of acceptance by physicians.ResultsThere was a reduction of 87.9% in prescriptions from the beginning of the study, with 182 patients included, until the review of the suitability of the drug began. The prescribing of strontium ranelate was unsuitable in 16 out of the 22 patients remaining; 11 of which were due not meeting the treatment criteria, 3 for not having had previous treatments with other drugs for the prevention of fractures, and 2 due to contraindications. The level of acceptance of the recommendations was 87.5%, leading to the stopping of strontium ranelate in 10 patients, and the changing to alendronate or alendronate/cholecalciferol in another four patients.ConclusionsThe number of patients prescribed strontium ranelate has decreased considerably. The interventions directed at reviewing the suitability of this treatment, based on the drug surveillance alerts, have been effective

Antimicrobials are the most frequently prescribed drugs in long-term care facilities (LTCF). Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) are coordinated interventions promoting the responsible use of antibiotics to improve patient outcomes and reduce antibiotic resistant bacterias. The objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led ASP in a LTCF, to characterise antibiotic therapy and assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions. A prospective quasi-experimental study to implement an ASP in a LTCF. Antibiotic prescriptions for suspected infections initiated in any setting for LTCF residents were included. We assessed appropriateness and prospective audits and feedback of each inappropriate antimicrobial prescription were carried out. Associations of variables with appropriate antibiotic prescribing were estimated using logistic regression. A total of 416 antibiotic prescriptions were included. The mean consumption of antibiotics was reduced from 63.2 defined daily doses per 1000 residents-days (DRD) in the preintervention period to 22.8 in the intervention period (− 63.8%), with a signifcant drop in fluoroquinolones (81.4%). Overall, 46.6% of antibiotic prescriptions were judged inappropriate, mainly because of a use not recommended in treatment guidelines (63.2%). Multivariable analysis showed that empirical therapy, some classes of antibiotics (cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, fosfomycin calcium, macrolides) and prescription initiation in the emergency department were independent predictors of antimicrobial inappropriateness. Pharmacist-led ASP in a LTCF has being effective in reducing consumption of antibiotics by improving appropriateness of treatment decisions. However, ASP should include interventions in the emergency department because of the high inappropriate use in this setting.