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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

The Pharmacist’s Role in Managing Rheumatic Diseases

Carissa Flick, PharmD, and Jessica Farrell, PharmD  |  Issue: August 2013  |  

These are some of the many services and benefits pharmacists can bring to the multidisciplinary team of a rheumatology practice, and their behind-the-scenes roles can greatly improve patient-care outcomes. For additional information on the many roles of interdisciplinary team members, visit www.rheumatology.org/practice and click on “Patient Resources.”

Dr. Flick is a postgraduate year-one pharmacy practice resident at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y. Dr. Farrell is a clinical pharmacist at The Center for Rheumatology and assistant professor at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Albany, N.Y. She is currently serving as a member of the ARHP Practice Committee and the ACR/ARHP Drug Safety Subcommittee.

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References

  1. Johnson TJ, Teeters JL. Pharmacy residency and the medical training model: Is pharmacy at a tipping point? Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2011;68:1542-1549.
  2. Briesacher BA, Andrade SE, Fouayzi H, Chan KA. Comparison of drug adherence rates among patients with seven different medical conditions. Pharmacotherapy. 2008;28: 437-443.
  3. Zwikker H et al. Development and content of a group-based intervention to improve medication adherence in non-adherent patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patient Educ Couns. 2012;89:143-151.
  4. Achaval S, Suarez-Almazor ME. Treatment adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Int J Clin Rheumtol. 2010;5:313-326.
  5. Reach G. Treatment adherence in patients with gout. Joint Bone Spine. 2011;78:456-459.
  6. Ramos-Casals M, Brito-Zeron P, Munoz S, et al. A systematic review of the off-label use of biological therapies in systemic autoimmune diseases. Medicine. 2008;87:345-364.

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