Hae Mi Choe, PharmD

A collaboration between a drug plan and clinical pharmacists led to nearly 50% of members successfully switching to a preferred dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitor.

A 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) drug switch program switching from 5-ASA to sulfasalazine was instituted for insured patients with ulcerative colitis. Unanticipated barriers limited the number of patients who switched, but significant cost savings were still obtained.

The new HEDIS diabetes blood pressure measure may promote performance incentives for overtreatment of blood pressure, causing potential harm, especially in the elderly population.

This report shows that a successful, cost-effective statin switch program can be implemented by a large physician group via a centralized, collaborative process.