Journal of Hematology & Thromboembolic Diseases
Open Access

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis medication adherence within Walgreens local specialty pharmacies is significantly higher compared to other class of trade pharmacies

Joint Event on 12^th International Conference on Hematology and Hematological Oncology & 6^th International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs and STIs

October 29-30, 2018 | San Francisco, USA

Ron Hazen, Catherine Fu, Heather Kirkham, Glen Pietrandoni, and Ambrose Delpino

Walgreen Co. USA
 IQVIATM, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Hematol Thrombo Dis

Abstract :

Background: Walgreens local specialty pharmacies (LSPs) manage complex chronic health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, in communities across the country. LSPs provide personalized, comprehensive pharmacy care to support HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication use and adherence. Purpose: To compare adherence of HIV PrEP users at Walgreens LSPs to adherence of HIV PrEP users at other retail pharmacy classes of trade (CoT; i.e. food stores, mass merchandisers, independent, or other chain stores). Methods: IQVIATM conducted a retrospective cohort study using their longitudinal retail prescription database that includes pharmacy claims across CoT. We included adults â?¥18 who filled the combined formulation of emtricitabine and tenofovir disporoxil fumarate for â?¥90 days from Jan-Dec, 2017. HIV PrEP users exclusive to Walgreens LSPs were compared to a propensity-matched cohort of PrEP users exclusive to other CoT pharmacies. Logistic regression and a generalized linear model was used to compare the adherence, measured as the modified proportion of days covered (mPDC), between the two cohorts. Results: Among the 3,114 HIV PrEP users in both cohorts, the percent with a mPDCâ?¥90% was significantly higher in Walgreens LSP vs. other CoT pharmacies (OR=1.39; P<.0001). Furthermore, HIV PrEP users exclusive to Walgreens LSPs had a mean mPDC (M=95.1%) that was significantly higher than those at other CoT pharmacies (P=.0001; M=93.7%). Conclusions: Walgreens LSPs demonstrated higher mean adherence levels and more users achieved â?¥90% adherence to HIV PrEP medication compared to other CoT pharmacies. Walgreens LSPs have experience supporting HIV PrEP users, which may help improve adherence on HIV PrEP.

Biography :

Ron Hazen is currently working as Senior Analyst at Walgreen Co., USA.

E-mail: ronald.hazen@walgreens.com