Background:
ED is a 60 year old female whose occupational injury was the result of repetitive motion of the upper extremities. Past surgical history is positive for a right shoulder arthroscopy, debridement, decompression, and synovectomy. Treatments provided include medications, trigger point injections, a TENS unit, and physical therapy. Along with her industrial injury, ED also suffers from multiple comorbid conditions (including anxiety, hypertension, and headaches).
Intervention:
Review of the claimant's prescription history by the clinical pharmacist revealed a major drug-drug interaction, sub-therapeutic dosing, inappropriate treatment of neuropathic pain, and duplicate therapies amongst prescribers. Additionally, it was noted that the ED's headaches (unrelated to the claim) were being treated inappropriately with two short-acting analgesics.
Results:
Recommendations by the clinical pharmacist resulted in therapeutic dosing, potential increased neuropathic pain coverage, elimination of drug-drug interactions, and a decreased risk of drug-disease interactions.
Potential Savings:
Accepted therapy recommendations will result in decreasing the annual prescription cost from $9,810 to $5,440 (a savings of $4,370/year).
