Avella Collaborates with NIH in Renal Transplant Patient Adherence Study

Avella Specialty Pharmacy recently partnered with researchers at the University of Arizona to look at the effectiveness of behavioral adherence contracts in renal transplant patients. Committed to improved patient outcomes, Avella took part in the National Institute of Health study to assess the effects of a year-long behavioral contract intervention among patients on a specific medication regimen.

“Avella Specialty Pharmacy realizes the importance of optimal patient outcomes,” said Eric Sredzinski, Pharm.D., AAHIVP, executive vice president of clinical affairs and quality assurance for Avella Specialty Pharmacy. “We believe that to deliver clinical excellence, we need to provide more than just prescription medications. Participation in this study allowed us to see the value of behavioral contracts as a tool to improve outcomes and make a difference in patients’ lives.”

The study sample included renal transplant recipients who were at least one year post-transplant and served by Avella Specialty Pharmacy. Participants included in the intervention group each signed a behavioral contract that included a desired outcome they wanted to achieve by the end of the study. The remaining participants were placed in a control group and were not given a behavioral contract.

Over the year-long study, clinical pharmacists and participants in the intervention group regularly collaborated to identify adherence barriers including disruptions in medication therapy routine such as occasional work-related travel. The patients and pharmacists worked together to develop patient-centered solutions to barriers. Participants in the control group were monitored to determine their level of adherence.

The study found that participants in the intervention group had a statistically significant improvement in adherence rates over patients in the control group who did not have a contract or receive support to ensure adherence to their monthly medication therapy. The study also found that patients who complied with their medication regimens had fewer inpatient and outpatient visits and were 78 percent more likely not to be hospitalized, saving $27,852/month in healthcare costs.

A video explaining the study can be found at www.avella.com/adherence.

Specialty pharmacies play a key role in providing patients with complex medical conditions access to medications and in monitoring those patients to ensure correct utilization. Working as a key component of the healthcare system, Avella collaborates with providers, payors and patients to offer unique solutions to their challenges. More information about Avella and its specialty services can be found at www.avella.com.

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About Avella Specialty Pharmacy

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Avella Specialty Pharmacy is a National Accredited Specialty Pharmacy, providing individualized care and support to patients since 1996. Avella's clinical pharmacists and staff members are experts in managing complex disease states and providing compassionate care. The company offers a nationwide distribution service to complement its retail locations. In 2013 Avella reached 1,105th on Inc. magazine's list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. For more information, please visit www.avella.com.

SOURCE: Avella Specialty Pharmacy Inc.