Telepharmacy services to support patients with epilepsy in Thailand: A descriptive study

BACKGROUND: Telepharmacy shows an effective option to provide pharmacy services in several settings. It could improve patients’ outcomes and save costs. However, the impact of a telepharmacy services in low resource settings remains limited. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the feasibility and effect of telepharmacy services on patient-reported clinical and economic outcomes among patients with epilepsy in Thailand. METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was conducted at a university hospital. Patients with epilepsy visiting the clinic from February 2021–December 2021 were included. Telepharmacy services were provided by hospital pharmacists through an application platform. Patients met a pharmacist synchronously using a video conference feature embedded in our developed website. Patients were interviewed for improved clinical symptoms, drug-related problems (DRPs), and health and social behaviors. Travel costs, food and accommodation costs and productivity costs due to hospital visits were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were included. Of those, 39 patients (48.75%) were men, averaging 35.44 ± 15.09 years old. A total of 22 patients (27.50%) reported better clinical symptoms after the telepharmacy service. Sixty-four DRPs (69.56%) were observed, along with 28 health and social behavior problems (30.44%). The most common DRPs were adverse drug reactions (20/64; 69.56%), followed by patients' non-adherence (20/64; 31.25%). Sixty-six problems (68.04%) were corrected during the telepharmacy service. From the patient's perspective, the average direct nonmedical cost per visit was 1257 ± 857 THB/visit. Travel costs were the major cost driver, accounting for 67.7% of the total cost. Cost savings averaged 6511 ± 4996 THB/year or 54.75% of usual care. CONCLUSION: Telepharmacy services are likely to improve patient outcomes, detect DRPs, and effectively provide cost-savings. However, further studies hosting a larger number of participants are warranted to assess the impacts of telepharmacy services.