Prescription delivery programme helps improve HbA1c levels in patients with diabetes

A novel prescription delivery programme (PDP) appears to significantly reduce glycated haemoglobin levels (HbA1c) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), suggests a study.

In this retrospective quasi-experimental study, the researchers determined whether implementation of an internally owned and operated PDP would lead to improvements in HbA1c control among patients with DM throughout primary care and specialty networks.

A total of 1,223 patients underwent screening, and a convenience sample of 100 participants were included in the assessment. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c of DM patients at enrolment in the PDP to approximately 1-year post-enrolment. Secondary outcomes were the percentage of patients achieving therapeutic goals, characterization of the enrolled population, and medication classes utilized in the PDP. 

HbA1c improved significantly in patients with DM from baseline at enrolment in a PDP to 1-year post-enrolment (8.2 percent pre-PDP vs 7.4 percent post-PDP; p<0.001). Thirty percent of participants achieved their target HbA1c pre-enrolment in PDP. At 1 year after enrolment in PDP, this percentage rose to 48 percent (p=0.002), which reached statistical significance.

“Among the studied population, enrolment in the PDP was associated with a significant reduction in HbA1c,” the researchers said.

“While traditional mail-order pharmacies have overcome some barriers to adherence, there is minimal evidence to indicate whether a novel PDP can impact clinical endpoints in common disease states. The use of integrated pharmacy technicians, a local courier service, and hospital-owned pharmacies contributes to a comprehensive continuum of care,” they said.