Estudio del switch de adalimumab por su biosimilar en un hospital de tercer nivel / Study of adalimumab switch for its biosimilar in a tertiary hospital

Objetivos: Debido al aumento en el consumo de los medicamentos biológicos y al impacto que esto supone en el gasto hospitalario, los objetivos de este estudio son: calcular el ahorro económico anual generado por el switch a adalimumab biosimilar y analizar el porcentaje de pacientes que mantienen dicho tratamiento en un hospital de tercer nivel. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, observacional, longitudinal, retrospectivo en el que se incluyeron un grupo de pacientes a los que se les realizó switch de adalimumab por su biosimilar cuando en la Comisión Asesora Técnica de medicamentos de la comunidad se autorizó dicho cambio. Resultados: De los 218 pacientes, nueve tuvieron que volver al medicamento original (4,13%). La motivación fue: pérdida de eficacia en cinco, reacción alérgica en tres y otro, un paciente pediátrico con dolor tras la inyección del medicamento biosimilar. El coste de adquisición en nuestro hospital de una unidad del medicamento original es de 195,6 €, mientras que del biosimilar es de 75 €. Si consideramos una posología cada dos semanas, ya que es la más frecuente en nuestros pacientes, el coste anual por paciente con el original sería de 5.085 € y con el biosimilar de 1.950 €. Por lo tanto, el ahorro anual que supone el cambio del medicamento original al biosimilar es de 683.560 €. Conclusiones: El switch de adalimumab original al biosimilar supone un importante ahorro económico sin que se reduzca la efectividad en el proceso de su enfermedad. Lo que contribuye a la eficiencia y sostenibilidad del sistema sanitario. En nuestra población, el 4,13% tuvo que volver al medicamento original. Sería conveniente realizar estudios en un número superior de pacientes y continuar su seguimiento a largo plazo para obtener conclusiones más firmes. (AU)

Objectives: Due to the increase in the consumption of biologic drugs and the impact this has on hospital spending, the objectives of this study are: to calculate the economic savings generated by switching to biosimilar adalimumab and to analyze the percentage of patients who maintain this treatment in a tertiary level hospital. Material and methods: Descriptive, observational, longitudinal, retrospective study that included a group of patients who were switched from adalimumab to its biosimilar, when the Technical Advisory Committee for Medicines of the community authorized the change. Results: Of the 218 patients, nine had to return to the original drug (4.13%). The motivation was: loss of efficacy in five, allergic reaction in three and the other was a pediatric patient with pain after injection of the biosimilar drug. The acquisition cost in our hospital of an unit of the original drug is €195.6, while that of the biosimilar is €75. If we consider a dosage every two weeks, since this is the most frequent in our patients, the annual cost per patient with the original drug would be €5,085 and with the biosimilar €1,950. Therefore, the annual savings from switching from the original drug to the biosimilar is €683,560. Conclusions: Switching from the original adalimumab to the biosimilar means significant economic savings without reducing the effectiveness of the disease process. This contributes to the efficiency and sustainability of the halthcare system. In our population, 4.13% had to return to the original drug. It would be advisable to carry out the study in a larger number of patients and to continue its long-term follow-up to obtain firmer conclusions. (AU)

Impacto de la atención farmacéutica en pacientes polimedicados ingresados en un servicio de Geriatría / Impact of pharmaceutical care in polymedicated patients admitted to a geriatric ward

Fundamento. Estimar la prevalencia de prescripción potencialmente inadecuada (PPI) y de problemas relacionados con los medicamentos (PRM) en pacientes ancianos polimedicados hospitalizados, y evaluar el impacto de la intervención farmacéutica sobre dicha prevalencia. Material y métodos. Estudio de intervención, cuasi-experimental, en pacientes polimedicados (≥ 6 fármacos) que ingresaron en un servicio de Geriatría en 2018-2019. Se analizaron las PPI según criterios STOPP/START 2014 y los PRM según el Tercer Consenso de Granada. Los PPI y PRM detectados, junto con posibles acciones para solucionarlos, se remitieron al geriatra responsable. Si al alta el cambio en la prevalencia de PPI y PRM fue ≥75%, se consideró aceptada la intervención. Resultados. Se realizó intervención farmacéutica en 218 pacientes, analizándose 1.837 prescripciones. Al ingreso se observaron PPI (90,8%) y PRM (99,5%). Se realizaron 1.227 intervenciones, el 57,6% sobre PRM. Se aceptó el 53,6% de las intervenciones farmacéuticas; la PPI según criterios STOPP y START se redujo un 49,7 y un 22,1%, respectivamente; los PRM disminuyeron un 60,1%. Las frecuencias y medianas de PRM y de PPI según criterios START y STOPP se redujeron significativamente al alta. Las variables más asociadas con la aceptación de la intervención farmacéutica fueron el geriatra responsable, el número de PPI START y el número de PPI STOPP. Conclusiones. Durante el ingreso hospitalario, la detección de PPI y PRM del tratamiento crónico por el farmacéutico, y en colaboración con el médico del paciente, ayuda a disminuir, la prevalencia de PPI y PRM.(AU)

Background. The aim of the study was estimate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) and drug related problems (DRP) in an acute geriatric ward, and to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical intervention on their prevalence. Methods. Quasi-experimental, interventional study in polymedicated patients (≥ 6 drugs) who were admitted to a Geriatric ward in 2018-2019. PIP were analyzed according to STOPP/START 2014 criteria and DRP on the Third Consensus of Granada. The PIP and DRP detected, and the possible actions to correct them, PI were sent to the physician in charge. The effect of the intervention was analyzed at hospital discharge; if the change of prevalence of PIP and DRP was ≥75%, the pharmaceutical intervention was considered to be accepted. Results. Pharmaceutical intervention was performed on 218 patients, analyzing 1,837 prescriptions. On admission, PIP (90.8%) and DRP (99.5%) were observed. We carried out 1,227 interventions, 57.6% on DRP. More than half (53.6%) of the pharmaceutical interventions were accepted; the PIP according to the STOPP and START criteria was reduced by 49.7 and 22.1%, respectively; DRP decreased by 60.1%. The frequencies and medians of PRM and PPI according to the START and STOPP criteria decreased significantly at discharge. The variables most frequently associated with acceptance of the pharmaceutical intervention were the geriatrician at charge, the number of PPI START and the number of PPI STOPP. Conclusion. The detection of PIP and DRP of chronic treatment during hospital admission by the pharmacist, and in collaboration with the patient’s doctor, helps to reduce the prevalence of PIP and DRP.(AU)

[Impact of pharmaceutical care in polymedicated patients admitted to a geriatric ward].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was estimate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) and drug related problems (DRP) in an acute geriatric ward, and to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical intervention on their prevalence. METHODS: Quasi-experimental, interventional study in polymedicated patients (= 6 drugs) who were admitted to a Geriatric ward in 2018-2019. PIP were analyzed according to STOPP/START 2014 criteria and DRP on the Third Consensus of Granada. The PIP and DRP detected, and the possible actions to correct them, were sent to the physician in charge. The effect of the intervention was analyzed at hospital discharge; if the change of prevalence of PIP and DRP was =75%, the pharmaceutical intervention was considered to be accepted. RESULTS: Pharmaceutical intervention was performed on 218 patients, analyzing 1,837 prescriptions. On admission, PIP (90.8%) and DRP (99.5%) were observed. We carried out 1,227 interventions, 57.6% on DRP. More than half (53.6%) of the pharmaceutical interventions were accepted; the PIP according to the STOPP and START criteria was reduced by 49.7 and 22.1%, respectively; DRP decreased by 60.1%. The frequencies and medians of PRM and PPI according to the START and STOPP criteria decreased significantly at discharge. The variables most frequently associated with acceptance of the pharmaceutical intervention were the geriatrician at charge, the number of PPI START and the number of PPI STOPP. CONCLUSION: The detection of PIP and DRP of chronic treatment during hospital admission by the pharmacist, and in collaboration with the patient's doctor, helps to reduce the prevalence of PIP and DRP.

[The influence of alternative medicine in highly active antiretroviral treatment]. / Influencia de la medicina alternativa en el tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad.

OBJECTIVE: Over the last few years, there has been a notable increase in the use of alternative medicine by the general population. The aim of this study is two-fold. Firstly we will analyse the incidence of the use of medicinal plants in patients with HIV undergoing Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART). Secondly, with the help of existing bibliographic information, we want to study the existence of possible interactions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective study with a targeted interview (October to December 2007) on consenting patients with HIV undergoing HAART treatment. RESULTS: Of the 193 patients that agreed to take part in the survey, 16.6 % confirmed they used alternative medicinal therapies. In 46 % of the cases there was a potential interaction with the effectiveness of HAART. 46 % of the potential interactions were in the case of the patients who used grapefruit as an alternative medicine, 21 % in the case of patients using thistle and Echinacea respectively, 4 % for those using omega-3, Chinese herbs and ginseng. CONCLUSION: There is a significant use of natural products by these groups of patients, of which a significant percentage interact with HAART. A better understanding of the possible interactions with HAART and improved information offered to patients with HIV is needed.

[Study of interactions between anti-retroviral agents and concomitant drugs]. / Estudio de las interacciones entre fármacos antirretrovirales y tratamiento concomitante.

UNLABELLED: Clinical efficacy of antiretroviral treatment requires drugs to maintain a plasma concentration over MIC90. One of the facts that can prevent drugs from reaching and maintaining required concentrations are pharmacological drug interactions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify the main interactions between antiretroviral medicines and concomitant treatment in a HIV positive group of patients in a general hospital. Clinical significance and the way to avoid or minimize these interactions is indicated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: from the computerized records of dispensation the Pharmacy Service and from the reports of the internal medicine deparment, demographic and epidemiological data were collected, as well as previous and current antirretroviral treatment and concomitant treatment. Interactions were identified after the Guide of Pharmacological Interactions for HIV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: the number of patients analysed was 189. Of these, in 153 (81%) 466 interactions were detected (2.46 interactions/patient). The classification according to its clinical significance was the following: no clinical relevancy (52.8%), potential interactions (45.5%) and co-administered drugs contraindicated or not recommended (1.7%, nA masculine = 8). This last one corresponded to the following medications: efavirenz/terfenadine, nelfinavir/terfenadine, ritonavir/diazepam and zidovudine/ribavirin (five cases). Zidovudine was the one with the highest number of interactions detected (129 patients) followed by indinavir while the co-administered drug was cotrimoxazole (93 cases). The remaining interactions detected for all the anti-retrovirals are shown. We conclude that thought the number of drug interactions is high, the number of contraindicated or not recommended ones is low. Finally the therapeutic alternatives for those interactions detected that show the highest clinical relevancy are described. General procedures to identify and prevent them are also described. CONCLUSION: We conclude that though the number of drug interactions is high, the number of contraindicated or not recommended ones is low. Finally the therapeutic alternatives for those interactions detected that show the highest clinical relevancy are described. General procedures to identify and prevent them are also described.