Suitability of teriparatide and level of acceptance of pharmacotherapeutic recommendations in a healthcare management area.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the suitability of teriparatide prescriptions for osteoporosis treatment in a health management area, as well as the level of acceptance of pharmacotherapeutic recommendations made to physicians.

DESIGN: A prospective interventional study conducted from february 2015 to june 2015.

SETTING: South Seville Health Management Area.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients receiving teriparatide.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Suitability of teriparatide prescriptions according to Clinical Practice Guidelines and level of acceptance of pharmacotherapeutic recommendations.

RESULTS: Teriparatide prescriptions were unsuitable in 45 patients (68.2%); 11 due to no indication, 17 patients did not have previous treatments with first-line drugs, 6 due to contraindications and 9 patients were treated for more than 24 months with the drug. Besides, 4 prescriptions were unsuitable because of combination with other therapies. The acceptance of pharmacotherapeutic recommendations was 64.4%, leading to teriparatide discontinuation in 21 patients (72.4%), and a switch to alendronate or ibandronate in another 8 patients.

CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of teriparatide prescriptions is unsuitable in our health care management area, but it has decreased after pharmacist intervention.