Impact of medication assistance programs in pharmacist managed patients with diabetes

The purpose of this study is to determine if improved medication access via manufacturer sponsored medication assistance programs improved patient hemoglobin A1C levels after 12 months of enrollment. Secondary outcomes explored the number of cardiovascular protective medications, renal protective medications, hypoglycemic potential medications, and weight changes. Pharmacists aided eligible patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to enroll in PAP enabling medication access. Patients sought assistance to (1) continue a medication no longer affordable for them, (2) initiate a new unaffordable medication, or (3) both continue an existing medication and start new medication concurrently. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted to collect the primary objective measure of A1C reduction at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after being enrolled in the PAP. Secondary outcomes included guideline focused measures such as avoidance of hypoglycemic inducing medications and utilization of cardiovascular and renal protective medications. The cohort included 59 patients averaging 69 years old with a baseline A1C of 8.5%. The average mean change from baseline A1C to 12 months was -0.9%, -2.27%, and -0.98% for the continuing an existing medication, starting a new medication, and both continuing and starting a new medication groups respectively. All groups were associated with increased use of cardiovascular and renal protective medications and reduced usage of hypoglycemic potential medications. Utilizing PAP to improve patient access to costly diabetes medications enables better patient outcomes as shown by significantly improved A1C levels and improved utilization of renal and cardioprotective medications. Many patients cannot afford newer brand name medications used to treat diabetes, which limits their ability to meet glycemic goals and prevent long term complications. In our patient sample, programs sponsored by drug manufacturers to provide medications to eligible patients enabled them to improve their blood sugar levels and have access to kidney and heart protective medications.