Becton and Dickinson: Investing in Community Health Center Clinical Pharmacists Can Significantly Improve Patient Outcomes and Advance Health Equity
Study Shows Patients With Personalized Pharmacist-Led Medication Management Programs at Federally Licensed Health Centers Effectively Manage Complex Chronic Conditions and Reduce Risk of Death by 20%
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ (July 19, 2022) – Recent research published in the Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy shows that investments in clinical pharmacist-led patient care can significantly improve health outcomes for low-income patients facing debilitating chronic illness.
The paper, titled The impact of clinical pharmacist-led comprehensive medication management on diabetes care in federally licensed health centers as part of the BD Helping Build Healthy Communities program, describes a study commissioned by BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, as well as Direct Relief and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), which found that patients enrolled in a comprehensive medication management program at federally accredited health centers (FQHCs) saw their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) scores drop by 1.2% over six months, equivalent to a estimated 20% lower risk of death1.
The study analyzed clinical pharmacy approaches at eight federally accredited health centers that received funding through the BD helps build healthy communities™ grant initiative, which was created in 2013 and funded by BD and the BD Foundation, and implemented by Direct Relief and NACHC to support comprehensive medication management services for low-income patients. The clinics were evaluated for two years and included winners from 2017, 2018 and 2019.
“Prescribing medications is easy, but maximizing the patient’s benefit from these medications requires comprehensive medication management that goes beyond the usual 15-minute visit to the provider,” said Dr. Sonak Pastakia of Purdue University School of Pharmacy, lead author. of the study. “We have found that when patients review their diagnosis and medications that coincide with a team led by a clinical pharmacist, as well as social workers and behavioral health specialists, the health outcomes of their chronic disease improve. beyond what is seen during a typical clinic visit.”
FQHCs are community-based providers who receive funding under the Public Health Services Act to provide primary care services in underserved areas and often work under significant budget constraints despite caring for nearly 30 million patients per year, 67% of whom earn income below the federal poverty level2. Because standard Medicaid coverage often does not reimburse health care providers for new programs such as comprehensive medication management, non-federal funding sources such as philanthropic investments help health centers take supports vulnerable patient populations. This is especially true for people with diabetes, because a 1% drop in their 3-month average blood sugar (i.e., glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]) can save the healthcare system approximately $685 to $950 per year per patient, while reducing the risk of serious long-term health problems3.
Damon Taugher, Vice President of Global Programs at Direct Relief and co-author of the article, said: “This study goes a long way towards proving the hypothesis behind the BD helps build healthy communities program – that investing in health centers has a positive impact on clinical outcomes for patients.
Jennifer Farrington, BD’s Senior Director of Social Investment and Vice President of the BD Foundation, added, “We launched the BD helps build healthy communities with Direct Relief and NACHC nearly a decade ago to address the disparity in which health care was delivered to patients and vulnerable populations in our health systems. We’ve partnered with community health centers in high-needs areas across the United States to help them provide culturally relevant care that meets the needs of their patients and community. As part of our ongoing commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities, we will continue to be a valued partner for Community Health Centers as we work to advance access to equitable health care. »
NACHC Chief Medical Officer Ron Yee said, “Nationally, we are seeing the positive results of this collaboration with Community Health Centers on the ground. Pharmacists work with each patient through face-to-face visits, telehealth, patient education, medication management. , address drug access issues through the 340B Discounted Drug Program, and provide follow-up in collaboration with the primary care provider. several chronic diseases. Medication management is essential to improve their health and reduce the risk of hospitalization.”
Read the full article: The impact of clinical pharmacist-led comprehensive medication management on diabetes care in federally licensed health centers within the BD helps build healthy communities program – Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy
1 The decreases assessed are average clinic gains and are an important first step to better inform integrated patient management programs with the goal of mitigating the consequences of life-threatening chronic conditions at the patient level.
2 Federally Licensed Health Centers Health Resources and Services Administration [cited 2021 Mar 28]. Available from: https://www.hrsa.gov/tools/opa/eligibility-and-registration/health-centers/fqhc/index.html
3 Wagner EH, Sandhu N, Newton KM, McCulloch DK, Ramsey SD, Grothaus LC. Effect of improved glycemic control on healthcare costs and utilization. JAMA. 2001;285(2):182-189.https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.285.2.182
About comics
BD is one of the world’s largest global medical technology companies and advances the world of healthcare by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and care delivery. The company supports heroes on the front lines of healthcare by developing innovative technologies, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and the clinical process for healthcare providers. BD and its 75,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help improve the safety and efficiency of clinicians’ care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease, and advance capabilities of researchers to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapies. BD is present in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to solve some of the world’s toughest health issues. By working closely with its customers, BD can help improve outcomes, reduce costs, increase efficiency, improve safety and expand access to healthcare. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/ and Twitter @BDandCo.
About Direct Relief
A humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of those affected by poverty and emergencies, Direct Relief provides vital medical resources in the United States and around the world to communities in need, without regard to politics, religion or ability to pay. For more information, visit https://www.DirectRelief.org.
About the NACHC
The National Association of Community Health Centers was founded in 1971, with the mission to promote the provision of high quality, comprehensive and affordable, coordinated, culturally and linguistically competent, community-directed health care for all populations medically underserved. NACHC is the membership organization for community health centers nationwide, which provide primary and preventive health care to more than 28 million people from more than 10,000 sites. www.nachc.org.
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