Medication Review Focusing on Anticoagulation Therapy in Swiss Community Pharmacies

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC) entails a high potential for adverse events and strict adherence is needed.Thus, medication review and identification of safety issues and knowledge gaps about OAC is critically important. The polymedication check (PMC) is a reimbursed intermediate medication review focusing on adherence and medication management for Swiss primary care. Investigators aime to assess the impact of the PMC extended with a semi-structured interview focusing on OAC.

Official Title
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Durchführung Einer Beobachtungsstudie im Rahmen Einer Masterarbeit Zur Identifikation Von Pharmaceutical Care Issues Bei Patienten, Welche Mit Oralen Antikoagulantien Behandelt Werden

Conditions
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Drug Therapy Management

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Extended polymedication check


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: intake of an oral anticoagulant more than 3 drugs over at least 3 months prior to recruitment german language (written and spoken) medicines use in self management Exclusion Criteria: living in a nursing home provision of polymedication check in the past

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| OAC<br>Patients on oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC) will receive a pharmacists led medication review with a focus on anticoagulation therapy (extended polymedication check) | Behavioral: Extended polymedication check<br>* Behavioral: Medication review Patients on oral anticoagulants and polypharmacy will receive extended polymedication check to identify Pharmaceutical Care Issues, Adherence Issues, Drug related problems and Knowledge Gaps The PMC has been implemented in 2010 as a new cognitive service provided by any community pharmacist to patient with polypharmacy (n>3 drugs) on long term conditions (> 3 months) and is reimbursed by swiss health insurance. The semi-structured interview contains questions about knowledge on oral anticoagulation therapy. This extended PMC follows a structured predefined protocol. As an outcome, pharmacist may install a compliance support e.g. weekly filled pill organizer.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Knowledge gaps about oral anticoagulation therapy | Knowledge about oral anticoagulation therapy will be assessed during the extended Polymedication check which includes 8 specific questions on oral anticoagulation knowledge. After 2 Weeks a follow-up telephone interview will be performed and the same 8 questions will be assessed. | 2 Weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Medication possessio ratio (MPR) | Medication history from pharmacy software will be used to calculate the MPR of all drugs, retrospectively starting 12 months before the extended PMC takes place. | 12 Months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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polypharmacy, polymedication check, anticoagulation treatment