Analysis of Drug Therapy Problems Identified by Community Pharmacists in Non-English Speaking Patients

Purpose: The objective of this study is to determine if there is a difference between the volume and categorization of drug therapy problems, and subsequent medication adherence or chronic disease management outcomes in patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Methods: Community pharmacists provided medication therapy management services (MTM) to English and Spanish-speaking over up to four visits to patients with diabetes and/or hypertension during a twelve-month period. During these visits, pharmacists collected a full medication list, performed a comprehensive medication review, educated patients on self-management techniques, developed a mutually agreed upon action plan, and conducted an assessment of the appropriateness of, the effectiveness of, the safety of, and adherence to therapy. Results: A total of 115 drug therapy problems were identified for the fifty-eight patients included in the study. LEP patients were more likely to have drug therapy problems (DTPs) categorized as non-adherence and less likely to have DTPs categorized as needs a different drug product or adverse drug reaction compared to patients with English proficiency. Similar rates of DTPs per patient were found in both study arms (2.00 vs 1.98). Patient with English proficiency had a greater improvement in diastolic and systolic blood pressure values, but similar improvement in HbA1C to LEP patients. Conclusion: The results of this small prospective study suggest that there may be a difference in how drug therapy problems are categorized and the subsequent control of chronic health conditions in patients with limited English proficiency even when language services are provided