A Pilot Study to Evaluate a Telepharmacy Intervention to Improve Inhaler Adherence in Veterans With COPD

A Pilot Study to Evaluate a Telepharmacy Intervention to Improve Inhaler Adherence in Veterans With COPD

Hypothesis: Can a counseling intervention, delivered by a pharmacist, increase inhaler adherence in veterans with COPD who have demonstrated poor inhaler adherence through pharmacy refill records?

Veterans who receive who receive daily maintenance inhalers from the William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital Pharmacy and who have a medication possession ratio less than 80% over the previous six months will be invited to participate in the study. This study will randomize 100 participants to a usual care arm or a pharmacist counseling intervention. Final data collection will be six months after randomization to determine if both self-reported and refill record adherence has changed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female veterans established with the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics
• Fill their inhaled COPD medications with the VHA
• A diagnosis of COPD and an active prescription for a twice daily long-acting beta-agonist and/or long-acting anticholinergic with or without a prescription for inhaled corticosteroids for at least 4 months.
• Non-adherence to at least one COPD medication, a medication possession ratio of less than 80% or over 120% via the pharmacy refill records.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a diagnosis or electronic medical record note regarding significant hearing impairment.
• Patients with a diagnosis regarding cognitive deficit and activated power of attorney.
• Patients who use daily nebulization instead of inhalers for maintenance medication.