Journal of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems
Open Access

Abstract

The Disease Burden and the Extent of Drug Therapy Problems in an Underserved Minority Population Receiving Medication Therapy Management at an Ambulatory Care Free Clinic

Ombengi DN, Ndemo FA, Noreddin AM and Harris WT

Objective: To determine the common medical conditions, medications, and associated drug therapy problems in an underserved minority population receiving medication therapy management services at a large Community Free Clinic compared to the findings of the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Care Project. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of a random sample of 60 minority patients referred for medication therapy management service at a Community Free Clinic from January 2012 to January 2014. Patient data including demographics, medication experience, past medical and medication history, medical conditions, active medications, allergies, immunization history and drug therapy was systematically evaluated to determine the most common conditions, and any drug therapy problems present, compared to findings of the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Care Project . The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: 25 (73%) patients were 51 years and older of which 73% female. The top most common medical conditions were hypertension, Type II diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. The most common medications were antihypertensive, oral anti-diabetic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Needs additional drug therapy (48.9%), Dosage too low (16.3%) and Non-adherence (11.6%) were the leading drug therapy problems identified. Conclusion: Hypertension, type II diabetes and dyslipidemia were the leading chronic medical conditions whereas Needs Additional Drug Therapy, Dosage Too Low and Non-Compliance were the associated most common drug therapy problems in the minority population. These results were comparable to the findings among the general population in the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Care Project.