Abstract:
Objective: To determine the common medical conditions, medications, and associated drug therapy problems in
an underserved minority population receiving medication therapy management services at a large Community Free
Clinic compared to the findings of the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Care Project.
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of a random sample of 60 minority patients referred for medication therapy
management service at a Community Free Clinic from January 2012 to January 2014. Patient data including
demographics, medication experience, past medical and medication history, medical conditions, active medications,
allergies, immunization history and drug therapy was systematically evaluated to determine the most common
conditions, and any drug therapy problems present, compared to findings of the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Care
Project . The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: 25 (73%) patients were 51 years and older of which 73% female. The top most common medical
conditions were hypertension, Type II diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. The most common medications were
antihypertensive, oral anti-diabetic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Needs additional drug therapy
(48.9%), Dosage too low (16.3%) and Non-adherence (11.6%) were the leading drug therapy problems identified.
Conclusion: Hypertension, type II diabetes and dyslipidemia were the leading chronic medical conditions
whereas Needs Additional Drug Therapy, Dosage Too Low and Non-Compliance were the associated most common
drug therapy problems in the minority population. These results were comparable to the findings among the general
population in the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Care Project.
