scholarly journals AB1203 INVESTIGATING THE VIEWS OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS ON THEIR ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1892.2-1893
Author(s):  
S. Wood ◽  
K. Hyrich ◽  
S. Verstappen ◽  
D. Steinke

Background:Medicines optimisation is essential in the long-term management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly when considering combinations of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Community pharmacists are ideally placed to optimise medicines use including monitoring side effects, counselling on dose and frequency and improving medicines adherence; however, in some countries, such as the UK, there are currently no community pharmacy services that address csDMARD use and little is known about the role community pharmacists play in managing RA as a long-term condition.Objectives:The objectives of this qualitative study were to understand community pharmacists’ views of their training, knowledge and current role in the management of RA.Methods:We conducted 9 semi-structured, face-to-face or telephone interviews with community pharmacists based in the UK; all were transcribed verbatim. A topic guide, used to inform the interviews, covered four key areas: 1) knowledge and training, 2) pharmacological management 3) patients and services, 4) potential role. The transcriptions were then imported into NVivo for thematic analysis. A coding framework was developed from continual emerging themes and applied to the transcripts.Results:Five male/4 female participants, the median age was 39 years (range 27 to 42) with a median number of years qualified as a pharmacist of 12 years (range 5 to 20) were included. The participants covered a range of roles including: pharmacist non-manager, pharmacist manager, locum pharmacist, superintendent pharmacist and relief pharmacist.In assessing the current role of community pharmacists, 4 main themes were identified: (1) access to information about the patient’s condition as a barrier, (2) their lack of knowledge in the management of RA, (3) providing practical advice about taking csDMARDs, and (4) exploring the reasons for non-adherence before taking further action. In assessing the potential role of community pharmacists, a further 2 themes were identified: improving access to information about the patient’s condition before the current role can be increased and other barriers to an additional role, including time and funding.In the theme ‘access to information as a barrier’ the most common point made was about the lack of information available to pharmacists on the individual indication for medicines. Pharmacists said this posed a barrier both to current practice and their potential role. No participants suggested the potential for an additional service specifically for RA, but some suggested that current services could be expanded to include RA as a target group. Participants discussed side effect counselling and ensuring access to medicines in detail with patients, but only 2 briefly mentioned discussing the benefits of csDMARDs.Conclusion:This is the first in-depth exploration of the perspectives of community pharmacists on the management of RA in community pharmacy. This study has highlighted several important barriers both environmental and personal including time, education and resources that, if addressed, could allow community pharmacists to play a greater role in the management of RA.Disclosure of Interests:Sarah Wood: None declared, Kimme Hyrich Grant/research support from: Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Suzanne Verstappen Grant/research support from: BMS, Consultant of: Celltrion, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Douglas Steinke: None declared

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 937.1-937
Author(s):  
V. Pulito-Cueto ◽  
S. Remuzgo-Martínez ◽  
F. Genre ◽  
V. M. Mora-Cuesta ◽  
D. Iturbe Fernández ◽  
...  

Background:Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most significant comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), increasing the mortality in these patients [1,2]. Although the pathogenesis of ILD associated to RA (RA-ILD+) remains poorly defined [1], it is known that vascular tissue plays a crucial role in lung physiology [3]. In this context, a population of cells termed endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in vasculogenesis and endothelial tissue repair [4]. Previous reports suggest the implication of EPC in different conditions such as RA and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common and destructive ILD [5,6]. Nevertheless, little is known about their specific role in RA-ILD+.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to shed light on the potential role of EPC in endothelial damage in RA-ILD+.Methods:Peripheral venous blood was collected from a total of 68 individuals (18 with RA-ILD+, 17 with RA-ILD-, 19 with IPF and 14 healthy controls). All subjects were recruited from the Rheumatology and Pneumology departments of Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain. Quantification of EPC was analyzed by the expression of surface antigens by flow cytometry. The combination of antibodies against the stem cell marker CD34, the immature progenitor marker CD133, the endothelial marker VEGF receptor 2 (CD309) and the common leukocyte antigen CD45 was used. EPC were considered as CD34+, CD45Low, CD309+and CD133+. All statistical analyses were performed using Prism software 5 (GraphPad).Results:EPC frequency was significantly increased in patients with RA-ILD+, RA-ILD-and IPF compared to controls (p=0.001, p=0.002, p< 0.0001, respectively). Nevertheless, patients with RA, both RA-ILD+and RA-ILD-, showed a lower frequency of EPC than those with IPF (p= 0.048, p= 0.006, respectively).Conclusion:Our results provide evidence for a potential role of EPC as a reparative compensatory mechanism related to endothelial damage in RA-ILD+, RA-ILD-and IPF patients. Interestingly, EPC frequency may help to establish a differential diagnostic between patients with IPF and those who have an underlying autoimmune disease (RA-ILD+).References:[1] J Clin Med 2019; 8: 2038;[2] Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67: 28-38;[3] Nat Protoc 2015; 10: 1697-1708;[4] Science 1997; 275: 964-966;[5] Rheumatology (Oxford) 2012; 51: 1775-1784;[6] Angiogenesis 2013; 16: 147-157.Acknowledgments:Personal funds, VP-C: PREVAL18/01 (IDIVAL); SR-M: RD16/0012/0009 (ISCIII-ERDF); LL-G: PI18/00042 (ISCIII-ERDF); RL-M: Miguel Servet type I CP16/00033 (ISCIII-ESF).Disclosure of Interests:Verónica Pulito-Cueto: None declared, Sara Remuzgo-Martínez: None declared, Fernanda Genre: None declared, Victor Manuel Mora-Cuesta: None declared, David Iturbe Fernández: None declared, Sonia Fernández-Rozas: None declared, Leticia Lera-Gómez: None declared, Pilar Alonso Lecue: None declared, Javier Rodriguez Carrio: None declared, Belén Atienza-Mateo: None declared, Virginia Portilla: None declared, David Merino: None declared, Ricardo Blanco Grant/research support from: AbbVie, MSD, Roche, Consultant of: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Bristol-Myers, Janssen, UCB Pharma and MSD, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Bristol-Myers, Janssen, UCB Pharma. MSD, Alfonso Corrales Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Jose Manuel Cifrián-Martínez: None declared, Raquel López-Mejías: None declared, Miguel A González-Gay Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Abbvie, MSD, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Abbvie, MSD


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Kokkinis

This paper examines the notion of short-termism and assesses the potential impact of short-termist shareholder pressures on corporate governance in light of available empirical evidence on the effects of institutional shareholder ownership on corporate performance. Its main aim is to evaluate the adequacy of the recommendations included in the influential Kay Report and to assess the legal efficacy of the regulatory tools advocated by Kay. It is argued that although most of the Report’s recommendations are likely to alleviate the consequences of short-termism, the Report does not go far enough to ensure a definite change of culture and practice in equity markets. Therefore, further reforms are necessary in the area. In particular, it is expedient to robustly reform the structure of executive remuneration, facilitate a dialogue between companies and long-term investors, and reform shareholder voting rights to deter short-termist behavior and reward long-term investors


Author(s):  
Jayne Astbury ◽  
Ellen Schafheutle ◽  
Jane Brown ◽  
Christopher Cutts

AbstractBackground Asset-based approaches seek to positively mobilise the strengths, capabilities, and resources of individuals and communities. To date, limited consideration has been given to the potential value of this approach in relation to community pharmacy practice, yet this is important and timely given community pharmacy’s expanding role and contribution to public health initiatives. Objectives This qualitative study aimed to explore the current and potential role of community pharmacy in asset-based approaches. Methods Fifteen semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with community pharmacists and project leads, and public health policy and strategic leads in the UK. Transcripts were analysed using simultaneous inductive open and deductive coding using an applied Theory of Change as an illustrative lens. Results The shift towards patient-facing roles in community pharmacy was felt to offer expanded relational opportunities to engage and collaborate with individuals, communities, and other stakeholders. However, only a small number of respondents described examples of systemic asset-based working within the pharmacy sector. The adoption of asset-based approaches was challenged or enabled by several factors including the availability of protected time/resources, workplace and organisational culture/values, strategic leadership, commissioning, and funding arrangements. Conclusions The study provides valuable insights into the potential for community pharmacy, a previously unconsidered sector, to further adopt and contribute to asset-based approaches and play a more central role in the improvement of public health and reduction of health inequalities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i35-i35
Author(s):  
S S Alghamdi ◽  
R Deslandes ◽  
S White ◽  
K Hodson ◽  
A Mackridge ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Since 2019, the role of independent pharmacist prescribers (IPPs) in primary care has extended to community pharmacies in Wales [1]. This was in response to a Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee report in 2019 that outlined a plan to include an IPP in each community pharmacy in Wales by 2030. This aimed to relieve pressure on general practices, enhance patient care and reduce referral and admission rates to secondary care [2]. As funding was provided by the Government, the number of community pharmacists completing the independent prescribing course increased and many have implemented their prescribing role. Aim To explore the views of community IPPs regarding their prescribing role within community pharmacies in Wales. Methods Semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with community IPPs from all seven health boards (HBs) in Wales. Ethical approval was obtained from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff University and the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering at Keele University. Purposive sampling was used to identify potential participants. Gatekeepers (HB community pharmacy leads and directors of IPP courses in Wales) sent invitation emails, participant information sheet and consent form to potential participants. Written consent was obtained. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed ad verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Thirteen community IPPs across Wales participated. Six themes were identified, including the utilisation of their role as community IPPs, their experiences with their independent prescribing training, motivation to obtain their prescribing qualification and utilise it, the impact, barriers and facilitators to implement and utilise their role. Participants practised as IPPs in the management of minor ailments and some other conditions, such as respiratory and sexual health. The course and training for community IPPs was helpful, but there was a need to focus more on therapeutic and clinical examination skills. The main impact of the role was that it helped to improve communication between community pharmacies and general practices and relieved some pressure on general practices. The main barriers were the lack of appropriate funding by the Government to develop the role, lack of access to patients’ medical records, lack of support and high workload. “One of the areas identified as high risk is for pharmacy prescribers is the lack of access to clinical records. How can you [as community IPPs] make any sensible decisions with half the information?” IPP6 Facilitators included that some services were already in place and the drive from the 2030 vision. Conclusion This is the first study that explored the views of community IPPs regarding their prescribing role in community pharmacies in Wales. It provided an insight into this new role that can be considered by the Welsh Government to achieve the 2030 vision for this role. A limitation to this study was that the role is still new in community pharmacies, which may affect the views of the community IPPs. Many of them have obtained their prescribing qualification but have not started to utilise it yet. Further work is needed to explore a wider population of community IPPs’ experiences as the role develops. References 1. Wickware, C. 2019. All community pharmacies in Wales to have an independent prescriber as part of long-term plan for Welsh pharmacy. Available at: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/all-community-pharmacies. 2. Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee. 2019. Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales. Available at: https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/RPS%2.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 327.1-328
Author(s):  
A. Kavanaugh ◽  
M. H. Buch ◽  
B. Combe ◽  
L. Bessette ◽  
I. H. Song ◽  
...  

Background:The primary treatment goal for patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a state of sustained clinical remission (REM) or low disease activity (LDA).1,2Objectives:To assess the long-term sustainability of responses to upadacitinib (UPA), a JAK inhibitor, with or without background csDMARD(s) in pts with RA.Methods:Data are from two phase 3 randomized, controlled trials of UPA in RA pts with roughly similar baseline disease characteristics: SELECT-NEXT enrolled pts with an inadequate response (IR) to csDMARD(s) on background stable csDMARD(s) receiving UPA 15 mg or 30 mg once daily or placebo for 12 weeks (wks); SELECT-MONOTHERAPY enrolled methotrexate (MTX)-IR pts receiving UPA 15 mg or 30 mg monotherapy or blinded MTX for 14 wks. After 12/14 wks, pts could enter a blinded long-term extension and receive UPA 15 mg or 30 mg for up to 5 years. This post hoc analysis evaluated clinical REM (CDAI ≤2.8; SDAI ≤3.3), LDA (CDAI≤10; SDAI≤11), and DAS28(CRP) <2.6/≤3.2 at first occurrence before Wk 84; additionally, these measures were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months after the first occurrence for the total number of pts randomized to UPA 15 mg. Sustainability of response was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier only for those pts who achieved REM/LDA and was defined as time to the earliest date of losing response at two consecutive visits or discontinuation of study drug. The predictive ability of time to clinical REM/LDA was assessed using Harrell’s concordance (c)-index (for reference, an index ~ 0.5, indicates no ability to predict; an index of 1 or -1 would be a perfect prediction). The last follow up dates were 22 March, 2018 (SELECT-NEXT) and 25 May, 2019 (SELECT-MONOTHERAPY), when all pts had reached the Wk 84 visit.Results:Through Wk 84, the percent of treated pts achieving CDAI REM/LDA was 43%/79% for those receiving UPA 15 mg with background csDMARD(s) (SELECT-NEXT) and 37%/76% for those receiving UPA 15 mg without background csDMARD(s) (SELECT-MONOTHERAPY). 35%/25% of pts randomized to UPA 15 mg with background csDMARD(s) and 27%/23% of pts randomized to UPA 15 mg without background csDMARD(s) achieved sustained CDAI REM through 6/12 months after the first occurrence. 64%/56% of pts randomized to UPA 15 mg with background csDMARD(s) and 61%/56% of pts randomized to UPA 15 mg without background csDMARD(s) achieved sustained CDAI LDA through 6/12 months after the first occurrence (Figure 1). Time to initial clinical REM/LDA did not appear to be associated with sustained disease control. The c-indices (95%CI) for CDAI REM in the UPA 15 mg with background csDMARD(s) and UPA 15 mg without background csDMARD(s) groups were 0.541 (0.47, 0.62) and 0.568 (0.49, 0.65) and that of LDA were 0.521 (0.46, 0.58) and 0.498 (0.43, 0.56), respectively. Through last follow-up visit, 55% of pts receiving UPA 15 mg with background csDMARD(s) and 62% of pts receiving UPA 15 mg without background csDMARD(s) remained in CDAI REM while 72% and 70% of pts remained in CDAI LDA, respectively (Figure 2). Similar results were observed across other disease activity measures (SDAI REM/LDA and DAS28(CRP) <2.6/≤3.2).Conclusion:More than a quarter and more than a half of pts with RA and prior IR to csDMARD(s) receiving UPA with or without background csDMARD therapy achieved sustained clinical REM and LDA, respectively, across disease activity measures. Sustainability of responses appeared comparable among pts receiving UPA with or without background csDMARDs through up to 84 wks.References:[1]EULAR: Smolen JS, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2017;76:960–977.[2]ACR: Singh et al. Arthritis & Rheumatology Vol. 68, No. 1, January 2016, pp 1–26.Disclosure of Interests: :Arthur Kavanaugh Grant/research support from: Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Centocor-Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, UCB – grant/research support, Maya H Buch Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Consultant of: Pfizer; AbbVie; Eli Lilly; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Sandoz; and Sanofi, Bernard Combe Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, Consultant of: AbbVie; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; Sanofi, Speakers bureau: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; Merck Sharp & Dohme; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; UCB, Louis Bessette Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, In-Ho Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Yanna Song Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Jessica Suboticki Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Peter Nash Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB


1982 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-59
Author(s):  
K. V. Zvereva ◽  
L. N. Sokolov ◽  
V. Ya. Ermolina
Keyword(s):  

In order to determine the role of synovectomy in the rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the results of observations of 60 patients (75% of operated patients) aged 16 to 58 years (43 women and 17 men) were summarized. We determined the efficacy of synovectomy based on two follow-up periods: the nearest one - from 6 months to 1 year, and the long-term one - from 2 to 6 years.


1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Suzuki ◽  
Liliana Schaefer ◽  
Hong Ling ◽  
Roland M. Schaefer ◽  
Jobst D&auml;mmrich ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Jenny Morris ◽  
Stephen Wickham ◽  
David Nicholls ◽  
Ciara Walsh ◽  
James McKinney

The NDA’s Upstream Optioneering project has examined the potential implications of using an alternative type of waste package and its influence on the waste management lifecycle across the NDA estate. Robust Shielded Containers (RSCs) are radioactive waste packages that provide integral radiological shielding, reducing the need for remote handling. The robustness of the container could remove the need to immobilise waste by cement encapsulation. RSCs are routinely used to package ILW for interim storage in Germany and have fairly recently been considered for use in the UK because RSCs have the potential to simplify the waste management lifecycle and enable risk and hazard reduction. In particular, the current baseline (included in Magnox Limited lifetime plans) follows the strategy set out in the Magnox Operating Decommissioning Programme (MODP), in which Type II MOSAIK and Type VI Ductile Cast Iron Containers (DCICs) are used to package (in non-encapsulated form) most Magnox ILW arising prior to 2050. By considering representative types of Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) and exploring potential packaging options for these wastes, this paper identifies the factors that could differentiate between cases in which RSCs would, or would not, be an appropriate option. The potential role of RSCs across the waste management lifecycle is examined, from retrieval of waste through to emplacement at a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF), including consideration of other potential uses of RSCs, such as temporary storage of raw wastes for which appropriate treatment and conditioning measures have yet to be developed.


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