Droxidopa management by an integrated health-system specialty pharmacy team

Abstract

Background: Droxidopa, indicated for the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, can be challenging for patients to access owing to manufacturer and payer restrictions, and requires close monitoring to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Objective: This practice report describes the development and outcomes of an integrated neurology specialty pharmacy team for droxidopa management.

Practice description: An integrated health-system specialty pharmacy (HSSP) connected to an academic institution with integrated specialty pharmacists working in collaboration with the providers in both the neurology and autonomic disfunction clinic.

Practice innovation: In May 2017, the integrated HSSP developed droxidopa management services. Based on clinic-identified needs, the specialty pharmacy team completed droxidopa access requirements (insurance approval and affordability), provided comprehensive medication education at droxidopa initiation, and developed and executed droxidopa titration and monitoring plans in collaboration with providers. While patients were on droxidopa therapy, specialty pharmacist staff (pharmacists and technicians) monitored patients for safety and response to therapy and communicated with the health care team through the shared electronic health record.

Evaluation methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients with at least 3 fills of droxidopa using the integrated specialty pharmacy services from May 2017 to April 2020. Outcomes included persistence (defined as lack of 60-day gap in treatment), adherence (calculated using pharmacy claims and proportion of days covered [PDC]), and number and type of pharmacist interventions after droxidopa initiation.

Results: Of the 83 patients reviewed, 60 patients (72%) were persistent on droxidopa therapy over the study period. The median PDC was 0.98 (interquartile range 0.90-1.00). Over 36 months, the specialty pharmacist performed 60 interventions after droxidopa initiation, most related to dose changes, drug-drug interaction management, and medication reconciliation.

Conclusion: The development of integrated specialty pharmacy services for patients prescribed droxidopa resulted in high droxidopa persistence and adherence. Interventions from the specialty pharmacist ensured droxidopa remained safe and appropriate for patients.