Switching pharmacies leads to gaps in medication possession in individuals treated with buprenorphine.

摘要: Abstract Background Not all pharmacies stock and dispense buprenorphine, potentially complicating continuous access to care for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). This may become problematic if a patient’s primary pharmacy can no longer provide the patient cannot locate new pharmacy. Objectives To identify how often treated buprenorphine OUD switch estimate association between switching clinically significant gap in therapy of 7 days or longer. Methods A retrospective repeated measures longitudinal cohort design was used. Patients initiating treatment product indicated were identified from 2016-2018 Texas Prescription Monitoring Program. The predictor interest—switching pharmacies—was defined by comparing dispensaries used subsequent prescriptions. outcome interest as medication possession on basis National Quality Forum’s definition continuity pharmacotherapy OUD. generalized estimating equation approach logistic regression measuring therapy. Results Of 13,375 eligible patients, 29.6% switched at least once during treatment, 51.6% these did so more than once. median time initial 30 (interquartile range: 13-66 days). When pharmacies, they significantly likely have 29 (adjusted odds ratio 1.67 [95% CI 1.57–1.78]). Conclusion receiving early frequently which leads gaps Although qualitative explanatory work is needed understand why often, pharmacists prescribers must ensure that reliable convenient source prevent