Objectives: Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk pediatric patients. While palivizumab is more effective if used correctly, compliance with the monthly dosing is suboptimal. We established a pharmacist-managed RSV prevention clinic in an effort to improve compliance. The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of a pharmacist-managed RSV prevention clinic on palivizumab compliance.
Methods: A chart review was performed. Patients who received palivizumab between September 2009 and April 2012 were identified. Compliance was determined as the number of patients who received eligible doses at 28- to 30-day intervals, consecutively.
Results: One hundred seventy-two patients received at least 1 dose of palivizumab. An average of 92% of patients who received at least 1 dose subsequently received all doses of palivizumab during the RSV season. Of those, 88% received all eligible doses in consecutive 28-to 30-day intervals.
Conclusion: A pharmacist-managed RSV prevention clinic can assist physicians in the prevention of RSV by increasing compliance with palivizumab dosing.
Keywords: compliance; infant; palivizumab; respiratory syncytial viruses.