Evaluation of the care pathway in the context of the dispensing of emicizumab (Hemlibra) in community and hospital pharmacies in France: A patient satisfaction survey

Introduction: Since June 2021 in France, patients with haemophilia A with anti-factor VIII inhibitors and patients with severe haemophilia A without anti-factor VIII inhibitors, and treated with emicizumab (Hemlibra), have to choose the dispensing circuit community or hospital pharmacy.Aim: To evaluate satisfaction of patients whether they choose dispensation from a community pharmacy or retained dispensation from the hospital pharmacy, to understand the main motivation for choosing the community or the hospital pharmacy.Methods: All patients living in France, regardless of age, were eligible to participate. Between September 13, 2022, and January 9, 2023, 175 respondents answered the satisfaction survey, including 123 in community pharmacy and 52 in hospital pharmacy.Results: Eighteen months after availability in community pharmacies, treatment accessibility is improved for the benefit of the patient. The door-to-door travel times are significantly reduced to the community pharmacy with an average gain of 16.5 min saved from the place of residence. Patients are mostly satisfied with the new dispensing circuit especially concerning the overall satisfaction (p < .0001), the travel time (p < .0001) and the strong relationship with the pharmacist (p = .0022) compared to hospital pharmacy.Conclusion: Innovation in care pathways is showing its full potential in improving access to medication, made possible by the implementation of a rigorous organization accompanied by training to enable healthcare professionals involved in primary care to provide appropriate management.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the satisfaction of haemophilia A patients who chose dispensation from a community pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy. The results showed that patients were more satisfied with dispensation from a community pharmacy compared to a hospital pharmacy. Accessibility to treatment was improved, travel times were significantly reduced, and patients reported higher overall satisfaction and stronger relationships with the pharmacists.