Prescriber Education Reduces Use of Off-Season RSV Prophylaxis

Palivizumab is a medication that helps prevent lower respiratory tract infection caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is common from November through March. A Clinical Pharmacy Services analysis showed that one state’s Medicaid program was spending a large amount of money on palivizumab throughout the year, not limited to the RSV season.

Clinical Pharmacy Services set up a program to evaluate and encourage more evidence-based prescribing of palivizumab:

• Created prescriber education materials
• Reviewed palivizumab utilization within the state’s Medicaid program
• Developed a prescribing algorithm to help physicians determine when palivizumab was indicated

Influencing prescribers’ decisions

Through a comprehensive data analysis, our team identified physicians who were prescribing palivizumab in a manner that appeared to be inconsistent with recognized guidelines. Our client reached out to the targeted prescribers to provide information and guidance on prescribing the drug.

At the client’s request, we provided extensive training for clinical pharmacists in the targeted geographical area and for Medicaid staff on best practices and academic detailing, which we provide through our PrescriberEdu™ program.