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ApoThera provides Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and Drug Regimen Review (DRR) to:
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ApoThera clients in Cancer Centers and Dialysis Clinics
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HealthVault users (California, Nevada and Ohio) with complex medication regimen
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Individualized written answers are provided for specific drug questions requiring
some extensive research for which physicians or dispensing pharmacists do not have
sufficient time.
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Why is it important to have a consultant pharmacist review your drug regimen?
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Over 2.2 million serious adverse drug reactions occur yearly. Journal
of American Medical Association 1998; 279:1200-1205.
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106,000 deaths annually are due to adverse drug reactions in the United States.
Adverse drug reactions are 4th cause of death; ahead of pulmonary disease, accidents,
pneumonia/influenza, diabetes, HIV/AIDS. Journal of American Medical Association
1998; 279:1200-1205.
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The annual cost of drug-related morbidity and mortality was a stunning 177 billion
dollars in 2000; 47% attributed to preventable costs. This represented over
10% of total U.S. health care spending. Jrn. of American Pharmacists Assoc.
2001; 41:192-199.
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For every dollar spent on drugs in nursing facilities, $1.33 in health care
resources are consumed in the treatment of drug-related problems. Arch Intern
Med. 1997; 157: 2089-2096.
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It is estimated that consultant pharmacists help to reduce health care resources
attributed to medication-related problems in nursing facilities by $3.6 billion per
year. These cost savings amounts to approximately $2,250 per resident per year,
mostly from avoided emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Arch Intern Med.
1997; 157: 2089-2096.
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Risk factors for greater drug interactions, contraindications and adverse effects:
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Geriatric (over 60 years old). Older patients have altered distribution, metabolism
and elimination of medication which means prolonged half-lives of many medications.
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Taking 5 or more medications daily. More drugs mean more adverse reactions and interactions.
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Taking medications with narrow therapeutic index such as: Coumadin® (warfarin),
Lanoxin® (digoxin), Tegretol® (carbamazepine), LithoBid® (lithium), Dilantin® (phenytoin),
TheoDur® (thoephylline). These drugs need close monitoring for adverse drug reactions
and interactions.
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Complicated drug regimen due to diabetes, kidney insufficiency, organ transplant,
and cancer.
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Kidney insufficiency for clearing drugs out of the body.
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Liver insufficiency for processing some drugs.
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Using multiple pharmacies or multiple physicians.
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