Author Of 1 Presentation
P1015 - Demonstrating the value of a patient support program for multiple sclerosis patients prescribed cladribine tablets in Ireland at the end of year 1 (ID 1358)
Abstract
Background
The Merck KGaA-sponsored, nurse/pharmacy-led patient support program (PSP), namely adveva®, supports patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in taking cladribine tablets (CT) as prescribed. adveva® provides support on treatment days together with dose interpretation advice, clinical appointment reminders, and a home-based phlebotomy service. All potential adverse events are reported to Merck KGaA and telephone conversation transcripts are assessed when additional support has been required.
Objectives
To analyze results of the adveva® PSP for patients with highly active RRMS in Ireland taking CT as prescribed at the end of year 1.
Methods
Aggregated telephone records were reviewed between Oct 2018 and Sept 2019 to determine whether patient-reported adherence of CT was achieved and if additional support was required to achieve the full first year CT cumulative dose of 1.75 mg/kg.
Results
Of 204 patients registered with adveva®, 186 patients self-reported to have completed both treatment weeks (18 patients were between treatment weeks so were not included). Of 186, 177 (95%) patients completed their first-year course as prescribed, whereas 9 (5%) completed outside of SmPC recommendations as treatment was not taken on consecutive days. Additional support was required by 45 (24%) patients during their treatment days, including treatment counselling (38%), dosing advice (46%), and liaising on adverse events (16%).
Conclusions
All 186 patients self-reported that they achieved the required cumulative 1.75 mg/kg dose of cladribine tablets in their first year of treatment. The support of a proactive telephone-based PSP was especially of value to the 24% of patients who required additional support. The combination of both nurses and pharmacists within a PSP offers a trusted environment in which medication errors can be reduced, patient safety improved, and patients in need of additional support can be more easily prioritized, while reducing costs and improving quality of care. These post-approval, real-world setting data from the first year of treatment suggest that the majority of patients find cladribine tablets simple-to-take.