number of genotype 1 HCV patients who may still require
interferon.5 Through the Walgreens Connected Caresm
hepatitis C program, pharmacists address potential side
effects, drug interactions, metabolism complications and
adverse or complex dosing events.
Specialized pharmacy support is particularly vital for
patients with HIV. With the advent of antiretroviral (ART)
therapy, patients with HIV can enjoy near normal life
spans.6 However, nearly 25 percent of patients with
HIV are co-infected with HCV, which can accelerate
progression of liver disease.7,8 By living longer, these
patients paradoxically are at greater risk for dying of
liver disease, including liver failure and cancer.8-10 While
first-generation HCV triple therapy was able to benefit
many patients with HCV, the many drug-drug interactions
between ART and the HCV therapies limited its use in coinfected patients.8
Guidelines now recommend co-infected patients be
treated with the newer, oral HCV medications, which
hold more promise for HCV patients with HIV.5 Even so,
appropriate management of these complex patients is
critical to help improve health outcomes. Pharmacists at
the more than 700 Walgreens HIV-specialized pharmacies
are also trained to treat HIV patients with HCV coinfection.
HCV-Specialized Pharmacies
Due to the high cost of HCV therapy, health plans and
other payers want to be assured that patients who are
prescribed these medications are managed effectively
for the greatest likelihood of achieving SVR. Research
shows the extensive support and guidance provided
by Walgreens hepatitis C-specialized pharmacies is
beneficial.
More than two-thirds of HCV patients taking dual HCV
therapy medications achieved SVR, providing real-world
results that improved upon clinical trials despite the
significant side effects and difficult dosing regimens
of those older regimens, according to a Walgreens
study.2 Further, adherence was high, with medication
possession ratios (MPRs) of greater than 90 percent for
most medications.2 With the advent of next generation
oral therapies, Walgreens will continue to customize its
program to best support patients’ needs.
Patients in Walgreens Connected Caresm hepatitis C
program receive support services including 24-hour
access to specially trained pharmacists, help verifying
insurance and identifying financial assistance options,
convenient access to or delivery of medication and
pharmacist-led regimen check points to monitor
response to therapy and encourage medication
adherence.
Walgreens hepatitis C specially trained pharmacists work
with patients to determine the best method of delivery.
HCV medications can be picked up at one of the more
than 100 Walgreens hepatitis C- specialized pharmacies
or a designated local Walgreens pharmacy. Delivery is
also an available option. No matter how medications are
provided, Walgreens HCV specially trained pharmacists
are working closely with patients’ physicians to
provide customized support to help HCV patients with
comorbidities achieve a sustained virologic response and
an improved quality of life.
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
16
Louie, et al. Comorbidities in Hepatitis C patients in a United States Medical Claims Database. Abstract latebreaker 13. 56th Annual Meeting of the
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Nov. 11-15, 2005.
San Francisco.
Fritz S, Craft Z, Koerner P and Miller R. Therapuetic response of triple drug
therapy in hepatitis C infection. Presented April 4, 2013 at the Academy of
Managed Care Pharmacy