Pharmacoeconomic analysis of clinical pharmacy in HIV-positive patients

Author(s)

Renata Cavalcanti Carnevale

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
• Defense date: 2012-09-14

Examining board members

Patricia Moriel; Patrícia de Carvalho Mastroianni; Celia Regina Garlipp

• Advisor: Patricia Moriel; Priscila Gava Mazzola

Abstract

Studies demonstrate that clinical pharmacy with HIV-positive patients can lead to positive clinical results. However, few studies evaluate its economic impact. The objective of this study is to verify the economic impact of pharmaceutical care with HIV-positive patients. A prospective controlled study with systematic sampling by quota with controls paired by random characteristics between cases, was held from January 2009 to June 2012. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of UNICAMP. HIV-positive patients from Hospital Dia/ UNICAMP, male or female, aged between 18 and 60 years, not obese, were included in the study. Were not included in the study patients without conditions to return to appointments, those who did not accept to participate and pregnant. Patients were allocated to intervention or control group, and paired according to gender and lymphocyte T-CD4+ count. Only intervention group was submitted to pharmaceutical care during one year, according to own method based on PWDT (Pharmacist Workgroup of Drug Therapy) method. The initial and final drug related problems (DRPs) were quantified and classified, as well as the pharmacist interventions. The effectiveness outcomes were: CD4+ count > 200 cells/ mm3; >350 cells/ mm3; >500 cells/ mm3; viral load < 50 copies/ mL and absence of co-infections in six months and one year. Were considered the costs with attendings, laboratorial exams, procedures, hospitalizations and pharmacists in six months and one year. Cost-effectiveness, cost-minimization, cost-utility and statistical analysis were performed. Were included 40 patients in intervention and 40 patients in control group. Were performed 151 pharmacist interventions, most classified as pharmacist-patient and preventive of compliance errors interventions. A significant decrease was observed in number of total, safety and necessity DRPs. In 6-months period, intervention group presented higher percentage of co-infection absence and CD4+ > 500 cells/ mm3 when compared to control group. In 1-year period, no differences were verified between the groups concerning percentage of patients with CD4+ > 200 cells/ mm3, but in all remaining outcomes, intervention group presented better results. Intervention group generated less costs with attendings, laboratorial exams and hospitalizations, but higher costs with procedures and total cost, when compared to control group. mm3. It would be necessary an additional waste per year of R$4004,05 with procedures or R$3299,60 with total costs to achieve 5 additional outcomes of viral load <50 copies/ mL; 2 additional outcomes of absence of coinfections; 1 additional outcome of CD4+>350 cells/ mm3, 3 additional outcomes of CD4+>500 cells/ mm3 and 3 additional outcomes of ideal imunologic response (viral load <50 copies/ mL, absence of coinfections and CD4+>500 cells/ mm3). According to cost-benefit analysis, in financial aspects, pharmaceutical care was not positive. Finally, this study demonstrates that pharmacist care can lead to economic benefits. However, more studies must be conducted to a better analysis (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/04426-7 - Pharmaceutical intervention in the pharmacotherapy of HIV-seropositive patients: result of this in the procedures and in economy
• Grantee: Renata Cavalcanti Carnevale
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master