Cost Impact of a Pharmacist-Driven Medication Reconciliation Program during Transitions to Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes

Healthc Q. 2020 Oct;23(3):34-40. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2020.26335.

Abstract

The current provincial funding model in Ontario, Canada, does not offer dedicated funding to drive medication reconciliation (MedRec) programs during transitions into long-term care and retirement homes. This economic analysis aimed to estimate potential cost savings attributed to hospitalizations averted and decreases in polypharmacy by a MedRec program from a healthcare payer perspective. From a pool of 6,678 pharmacist recommendations, a limited sample of recommendations targeting specific medication-related adverse events showed potential savings of $622.35 per patient from hospital admissions avoided and of $1,414.52 per patient per year from medication discontinuations. Pharmacist-driven MedRec, conducted virtually, delivers substantial healthcare savings.

MeSH terms

  • Cost Savings*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / prevention & control
  • Homes for the Aged
  • Hospitalization / economics
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care
  • Medication Reconciliation / economics*
  • Ontario
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / economics
  • Pharmacists
  • Polypharmacy
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations