Evaluation of a Student Pharmacist-Driven Fall-Prevention Program for Older People.

There is limited research on the impact of fall prevention education for older community-living people led by student pharmacists, which includes a medication review to identify Fall Risk-Increasing Drugs (FRIDs). Study objectives were to first assess the knowledge and behavioral intentions of older people after attending a student pharmacist-led fall-prevention program (FPP) and secondly to quantify the number of FRIDs identified during a medication review. Between October 2022 and April 2023, four independent-living facilities and two senior centers served as programming locations. Events began with a fall prevention-focused presentation provided by student pharmacists. Attendees voluntarily filled out surveys to assess their knowledge and behavioral intentions regarding fall prevention. Optional medication reviews were offered. Additional survey questions were asked of medication review participants. If FRIDs were identified, the individual was provided documentation to share with their prescriber. Fall prevention bingo was offered at select events to review educational content and engage those waiting for a medication review. Eighty-six older people attended the presentations; 45 people completed medication reviews across six sites. Survey information was available for 65 presentation attendees and 29 medication review participants. After programming, 64 out of 65 participants stated they felt comfortable speaking to their pharmacist or provider about falls and their medications. Most survey respondents correctly selected which medications increase fall risk. Twenty-two of 29 medication review participants were taking at least one FRID. The FPP described showed positive results through a post-survey evaluation. Participants demonstrated knowledge of fall hazards including medications and a willingness to discuss falls and FRIDs with health professionals. These factors may lead to concrete interventions to avoid falls and their associated health consequences for older people.

Drug sample provision and its effect on continuous drug therapy in an indigent care setting.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the continuity and consistency of drug therapy among indigent patients following drug sample provision. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Indigent ambulatory care. PATIENTS: 129 adult patients, identified as having been given a drug sample between January 1, 2004, and February 27, 2004. INTERVENTIONS: Analysis of data regarding the sample regimen, duration, rationale for sample provision, therapeutic indication, and subsequent therapy prescribed in the 6 months following sample provision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lengths of gaps between sample provision and subsequent prescribed therapy were analyzed to evaluate the effect of sample provision on the continuity and consistency of drug therapy. RESULTS: Of the 52 patients for whom continuous therapy was indicated, interruptions in therapy occurred in 50% (mean duration, 51.1 +/- 37.8 days; range, 2-123). Of the 65 patients who were prescribed subsequent therapy, 89.2% were prescribed the exact same drug, 9.2% a different drug in the same class, and 1.5% a different drug in a different class. Following sample provision, only 2 (3.1%) patients were prescribed generic medications. CONCLUSION: Significant interruptions in drug therapy frequently followed sample provision in those requiring continuous treatment. On average, patients experienced interruptions in therapy for nearly 2 months. The majority of patients who were prescribed subsequent therapy were prescribed the same drug as the drug sample initially provided.