Authors: (including presenting author): :
Yau KM(1), Chong YF(1), Leung CY(1), Tam KY(1), Chen J(1), Lau SH(2), Leung GL(2), Ching CH(2), Wong TW(3), Wan MC(3), Leung YYJ(3), Yeung A(3)
Affiliation: :
(1)Department of Pharmacy, RTSKH
(2)Specialist Outpatient Department, RTSKH
(3)Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, RTSKH
Keyword 2: :
Osteoporosis
Keyword 3: :
Multidisciplinary
Introduction: :
The rising service demand and complexity of osteoporosis management pose
significant challenges to the healthcare system. The Pharmacist Medication Management Clinic (PMMC) at Ruttonjee Hospital has collaborated with SOPD Osteoporosis Clinic to initiate a dedicated service for osteoporotic patients since August 2024. Operating within a collaborative model with physicians and nurses, the service facilitates medication
adjustments and administration of injectables by nurses after pharmacist clinic attendance, thereby lengthening physician follow-up interval while upholding timely chronic disease management. It also aimed to actively resolve drug-related problems (DRPs) of patients.
Objectives: :
To compare patients’ physician follow-up interval before and after PMMC referral and analyze the impact on DRPs via pharmacist interventions.
Methodology: :
A retrospective service evaluation of PMMC from August 2024 to April 2025 was conducted. The primary outcome was the change in physician follow-up interval pre- and post-referral. Secondary outcomes include DRPs identified and pharmacist interventions.
Result & Outcome: :
241 patients attended the pharmacist clinic. Of these, follow-up data was retrievable in 198 patients. The remaining 43 patients were either newly referred to (n=41) or case closed at the specialty (n=2). 133 patients were referred for monitoring before denosumab injection. Among the cohort, 60 patients previously received injection at dayward setting. The mean physician follow-up interval increased from 236.6 to 314.6 days (+78.0 days; 95% CI: 62.9 to 93.1 days; p < 0.0001) following referral to PMMC. When dayward follow-up is considered in the calculation, the physician follow-up interval increased by
121.7 days (95% CI: 107.5 to 136.0 days; p < 0.0001). Pharmacists identified and addressed 30 DRPs, and initiated changes in drug regimens for 13 patients. Notably, anti-resorptive or anabolic agents were started in 5 previously untreated patients. In conclusion, the pharmacist-led osteoporosis service effectively extended physician follow-up intervals and improved pharmaceutical care through meaningful clinical interventions within a collaborative care model. Integrating pharmacist clinics can help optimize healthcare resources, enhance service capacity and patient safety, and support a sustainable and team-based approach to rising service demands.
