Fewer Anticonvulsant Prescriptions Filled Due to Pharmacy Closures

Pharmacy closures in communities in Colorado were associated with reductions in anticonvulsant medication prescription fills and days supplied with anticonvulsant medication, according to study results published in JAMA Neurology. Anticonvulsant medication nonadherence is associated with increased mortality and visits to the emergency department for patients with epilepsy, as well as worsening symptoms for patients with neuropathic pain, illustrative of the significance of these findings.

The study findings result from an analysis of Colorado all-payer claims data from 2018 to 2022. Researchers assessed 6-month trends for anticonvulsant medication prescription fills for patients affected by the closure of a community pharmacy in comparison with patients who were not exposed to a closure.

• A total of 39 community pharmacy closures were identified during the study period, affecting 3614 people.
• There was a 15.6% reduction in anticonvulsant medication prescription fills.
• There was a 14.4% reduction in days supplied with anticonvulsant medication.
• Pharmacy closures were associated with 0.15 fewer prescription fills per patient per month, equivalent to 1 month of missed medication over a 6-month period.
• The researchers determined that mail-order pharmacies were not a sufficient replacement for patients affected by a pharmacy closure.
• After a pharmacy closure, disruptions in refilling anticonvulsant medications persisted for up to 6 months.