Description and impact of a community pharmacy-based Collaborative Practice Agreement

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Services Research
• Medication Management

Background:

• Community pharmacists in Ohio can utilize collaborative practice agreements (CPAs) to address drug-related issues.
• CPAs aim to enhance medication access, ensure drug safety, and optimize workflow for pharmacists and healthcare providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the utilization of the Community Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) across five community pharmacies within an integrated clinic.
• To evaluate the impact of the Community CPA on pharmacists and other healthcare providers.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of pharmacist-prescribed medications was conducted.
• A survey assessed the perceptions of pharmacists and healthcare providers regarding the CPA's impact.
• The study involved five community pharmacies in Ohio integrated within a multidisciplinary clinic.

Main Results:

• Pharmacists issued 954 prescriptions, primarily for gender-affirming care (65.9%), diabetes (23%), and respiratory conditions (9.1%).
• An average of 80 prescriptions were written monthly in the first year.
• Most pharmacists and providers agreed that the CPA improved medication access and patient safety, though workflow impact varied.

Conclusions:

• The Community CPA empowers pharmacists to enhance medication access and patient safety.
• This innovative practice model demonstrates potential for improving medication access and safety while maintaining workflow efficiency for pharmacists.