A randomised control trial to evaluate the clinical pharmacist's role in managing iron deficiency anaemia patients

Abstract

Abstract Objective To investigate the role of clinical pharmacists in managing iron deficiency anaemia patients. Methods A prospective parallel randomised controlled trial conducted in an outpatient clinic enrolled adult iron deficiency anaemia patients. Patients were randomised into either an intervention or a control group. Patients in the intervention group were followed closely by a clinical pharmacist who offered pharmaceutical care services and worked closely with physicians to manage iron deficiency anaemia. Patients in the control group received the usual medical care. Key findings One hundred and four patients were enrolled in the study. Eighty-two patients completed the 4–6 week study, with 43 patients in the intervention group and 39 patients in the control group. By the end of the study, 86% of intervention group patients and 59% of control group patients reached their haemoglobin goal values, with statistically significant improvement in intervention group patients versus control group patients (P value = 0.006). Most of the clinical pharmacist's recommendations were adopted by physicians (83.9%). Conclusion Clinical pharmacist interventions improved iron deficiency anaemia patients’ outcomes.