New Study Demonstrates Benefit of Advanced Decision Support in Driving Pharmacist Recommendations to Reduce Medication Risk

Rhea-AI Summary

Tabula Rasa HealthCare (TRHC) announced a peer-reviewed study revealing that its MedWise® Science medication decision support tool helps pharmacists reduce inappropriate medication use among older adults. Conducted with 35 PACE organizations, the study found that pharmacist recommendations led to a 65% decrease in overall daily dosages of urinary antimuscarinic medications linked to cognitive decline and falls. This research underscores TRHC's commitment to improving health outcomes for vulnerable patients through advanced medication management solutions.

Positive

• Pharmacist recommendations accepted by PACE prescribers for 63% of participants.
• Overall standard daily dosage of urinary antimuscarinic medications decreased by 65%.
• Demonstrated effectiveness of MedWise Science in reducing medication risk among older adults.

Negative

• None.

Medication decision support helps identify potentially inappropriate medication

MOORESTOWN, N.J., Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new peer-reviewed study from Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Inc.® (TRHC) (NASDAQ: TRHC), a leading healthcare technology company advancing the safe use of medications, shows that pharmacist recommendations driven by its unique medication decision support system, MedWise^® Science, can help prescribers identify and reduce the levels of potentially inappropriate medications among older adults, reducing the risk of negative cognitive and physical outcomes.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, explored the dosage levels of urinary antimuscarinic medications with high anticholinergic properties. These drugs, which are often prescribed to older adults with urinary incontinence, are associated with negative cognitive and physical outcomes, such as delirium, dementia, and falls.

Researchers analyzed data from pharmacists who used TRHC's novel medication decision support tool, MedWise^® Science, to identify participants in Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs taking potentially inappropriate doses of urinary antimuscarinic medications and recommended interventions to prescribers. MedWise Science uses the active ingredients from a participant's complete medication list, including over-the-counter drugs, to identify the risk of simultaneous, accumulative, multi-drug interactions, and predict the possibility of medication problems.

The research involved participants from 35 PACE organizations that use TRHC's comprehensive CareKinesis^® PACE Pharmacy and medication risk mitigation services. TRHC offers comprehensive clinical pharmacy services for PACE organizations that provide ongoing medication assessments, comprehensive safety reviews, medication risk mitigation interventions, pharmacogenomic application, 24/7 medication management support, and adherence packaging, among other benefits.

"We take very seriously our commitment to improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals with overlapping chronic conditions and complex medication lists," said TRHC Chairman and CEO Calvin H. Knowlton, PhD. "We are pleased to see more evidence that our MedWise Science helps pharmacists optimize medications and prevent multi-drug interactions to promote better patient outcomes."

The pharmacist MedWise-informed recommendations included reducing or eliminating specific urinary antimuscarinic drugs; resolving high anticholinergic burden that impact non-favorable outcomes in these patients; changing these drugs to more appropriate medications; or offering a combination of recommendations that provided prescribers with multiple options.

The study found that the pharmacists' recommendations were accepted by PACE prescribers for 63% of participants. Among this group of participants, the overall standard daily dosage of urinary antimuscarinic medications decreased 65%, helping to mitigate the risk of negative cognitive and physical outcomes.

"The study serves as a proof of concept that, with the help of medication decision support tools, pharmacists can target specific medications to successfully decrease overall anticholinergic burden among medically complex older adults," said Jacques Turgeon, BPharm, PhD, TRHC Chief Scientific Officer and CEO of Precision Pharmacotherapy Research and Development Institute. "The research indicates that such targeting could help reduce potential risks posed by high anticholinergic intake. Additional research could determine the impact of the pharmacist recommendations on cognitive and physical outcomes."

About Tabula Rasa HealthCare
Tabula Rasa HealthCare (TRHC) (NASDAQ: TRHC) provides medication safety solutions that empower healthcare professionals and consumers to optimize medication regimens, combatting medication overload and reducing adverse drug events – the fourth leading cause of death in the US. TRHC's proprietary technology solutions, including MedWise^®, improve patient outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and lower healthcare costs. TRHC's extensive clinical tele-pharmacy network improves care for patients nationwide. Its solutions are trusted by health plans and pharmacies to help drive value-based care. For more information, visit TRHC.com.

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SOURCE Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Inc.

FAQ

What did the recent study about Tabula Rasa HealthCare (TRHC) reveal?

The study found that TRHC's MedWise® Science tool assists in reducing inappropriate medication use among older adults, decreasing the dosage of harmful medications by 65%.

How effective is MedWise® Science according to the study?

The study showed that recommendations made using MedWise® Science were accepted by prescribers for 63% of participants, resulting in significant dosage reductions.

What are the benefits of using MedWise® Science?

MedWise® Science helps pharmacists to identify and mitigate medication risks, improving health outcomes for older adults at risk of cognitive decline.

When was the TRHC study published?

The study was published on August 16, 2022, in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

What is the significance of the research conducted by TRHC?

The research demonstrates the potential of advanced medication decision support systems in optimizing prescriptions and enhancing patient safety among older adults.