Assessment of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Veterans Taking Basal/Bolus Insulin Regimens.

Background: Clinical use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) is well established as add-on therapy to oral medications and basal insulin. However, there is little published data regarding the use of GLP-1 RAs for longer than 12 months in patients taking basal/bolus insulin regimens. The primary goal of our study was to assess the long-term efficacy of GLP-1 RAs as add-on therapy to basal/bolus insulin regimens. Methods: This study was a retrospective record review of all patients on basal/bolus insulin regimens who received additional therapy with a GLP-1 RA. The primary outcome was the change in glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after initiation of the GLP-1 RA. Secondary outcomes included change in weight and total daily dose (TDD) of insulin and incidence of hypoglycemia and other adverse effects (AEs). Results: Ninety-two patient records were reviewed. Mean glycemic control changed from baseline -1.1% (95% CI, -1.3 to -0.8; P < .001) at 3 months; -1.0% (95% CI, -1.3 to -0.7; P < .001) at 6 months; -0.9% (95% CI, 1.3 to -0.6; P < .001) at 12 months; -0.9% (95% CI, -1.4 to -0.3; P = .002) at 18 months; and -0.7 (95% CI, -1.4 to 0.1; P = .07) at 24 months. A significant decrease in weight was also observed from baseline through 18 months, and a significant decrease in TDD of insulin was identified from baseline through 12 months. Hypoglycemia was documented in 29.8% of patients at any point during GLP-1 RA therapy, and gastrointestinal AEs were documented in 18.3% of patients. Conclusions: Adding GLP-1 RAs to complex insulin regimens may help achieve glycemic control while decreasing insulin requirements and mitigating undesirable AEs, such as weight gain.

Development of a Unique Student Pharmacist Internship in a Primary Care Provider System.

PURPOSE: To describe a unique pharmacy intern program in a group of federally qualified health center (FQHC) outpatient primary care provider clinics. SUMMARY: A pharmacy intern program was created at the North Central Nursing Clinics in Indiana, a group of four FQHC outpatient primary care provider facilities. Intern-performed tasks included: Prior authorization (PA) requests, medication assistance program (MAP) applications, sample procurement and inventory, and contraceptive devices for implantation inventory management. Interns interacted with clinic administration, nurse practitioners, and medical staff to complete their assigned responsibilities. Over a one-year period, the interns completed documentation on more than 2000 charts during a combined 12 h a week. Interns identified the interprofessional interactions as the most beneficial experience, while providers acknowledged no difference in the processing of paperwork during the transition of duties from pharmacy fellow to intern. CONCLUSION: This unique pharmacy intern program was successfully created and implemented in a primary care provider office, resulting in learning opportunities for pharmacy interns, as well as operational efficiencies to fellows, providers, and the organization.