Improved antiretroviral refill adherence in HIV-focused community pharmacies

To determine differences in patient characteristics, antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen characteristics, and regimen refill adherence for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-focused pharmacy (HIV-P) versus traditional pharmacy (TP) users.

Retrospective cohort study.

California Walgreens pharmacies from May 2007 to August 2009.

HIV-positive patients with greater than 30 days of antiretroviral prescription claims.

Deidentified prescription records for patients filling any ART prescription at any California Walgreens pharmacy during the study period were assessed.

ART regimen refill adherence (calculated by modified medication possession ratio [mMPR]) and dichotomous measure of optimal adherence of 95% or greater.

4,254 HIV-P and 11,679 TP users were included. Compared with TP users, HIV-P users traveled farther to pharmacies (5.03 vs. 1.26 miles, P < 0.01). A greater proportion of HIV-P users filled prescriptions for chronic diseases (35% vs. 30%) and received fixed-dose combination antiretroviral tablets (92% vs. 83%) (all P < 0.01). Median mMPR was higher for HIV-P users (90% vs. 77%, P < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, gender, insurance, medication use, and distance from pharmacy, use of HIV-P (odds ratio 1.90 [95% CI 1.72-2.08]) and fixed-dose combination antiretroviral tablets (3.34 [2.84-3.96]) were most strongly associated with having 95% or greater ART regimen refill adherence.

For HIV-positive patients struggling with antiretroviral adherence, clinicians may consider minimizing pill burden with combination tablets and referral to an HIV-focused pharmacy.