Evaluation of patient support program and adherence to long-acting injectable aripiprazole for patients utilizing injection local care centers.

OBJECTIVE: Patient support programs, such as the ASSURE Program for long-acting injectable aripiprazole, are designed to help support access to medications, including long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics for patients with schizophrenia. We conducted the study to evaluate adherence to long-acting injectable aripiprazole among patients utilizing the program local care centers (LCC).

METHODS: We utilized data collected from participating LCC between October 2014 and February 2018. Characteristics of patients receiving injections at LCC and participating in additional support services of the program, types of program offering utilized and patient cost share for long-acting injectable aripiprazole were described. Adherence, measured as proportion of days covered (PDC) during follow-up, was estimated in patients utilizing the LCC for 6 months and 9 months. Patients with PDC ≥80% were considered adherent to treatment.

RESULTS: 234 patients received at least one injection at participating LCC and enrolled in the patient support program. Mean (SD) age was 37.3 (13.5) years; 60.7% were male; 32.5% were covered by Medicare. 157 and 87 patients were actively utilizing the LCC for at least 6 months and 9 months, respectively. PDC of 97% and 98% were reported among patients with 6 months and 9 months of follow-ups, respectively, and patients were considered adherent to long-acting injectable aripiprazole during follow-ups.

CONCLUSION: Patients utilizing the LCC demonstrated high medication adherence, suggesting that injection services provided by the centers may reduce barriers to treatment and help patients with schizophrenia remain on LAI antipsychotic treatment.