Use of tyrosine kinase inhibitor dispensing records as an indicator of non-adherence to chronic myeloid leukemia treatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30968/jhphs.2026.171.1432Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the regularity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) dispensing and the factors associated with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment in a hematology reference center in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study analyzed drug dispensing data from the pharmacy for 173 patients using dasatinib or nilotinib for at least six months, as well as those who were on imatinib but switched to another line of therapy during the study period, from 2019 to 2022. Sociodemographic and treatment-related data were collected from electronic medical records in the institution’s system. Results: Considering adherence as medication possession greater than 90%, adherence in 2019 was 74%, decreasing in 2020 and 2021, and rising again in 2022 to 66%. It is discussed that the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence was offset by administrative measures that expanded medication possession. Through bivariate analyses, it was observed that men and individuals living closer to the dispensing unit were twice as likely to be adherent. Conclusion: The use of medication registry data to apply this and other indicators of persistence and adherence in chronic diseases, including CML, has been widely adopted and may serve as a facilitator in this process.
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