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MATTHEW W. STRUM, PHARM.D., CDE, CACP, is Cardiovascular Medical Information Scientist, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals; at the time of writing he was Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Department of Pharmacy, University Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock. ROBERT HOPKINS, M.D., is Associate Professor—Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine; DONNA S. WEST, PH.D., is Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy; and BRITTANY N. HARRIS is a Pharm.D. degree candidate and Research Assistant, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, UAMS.

Address correspondence to Dr. West at the Department of Pharmacy Practice, University Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 522, Little Rock, AR 72205 (westdonnas{at}uams.edu).

Purpose. The effects of a clinic-based medication assistance program (MAP) on the health outcomes and medication use of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied. Methods. In this retrospective analysis, data from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences pharmacy-managed MAP and outpatient pharmacy databases were collected for adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were monitored in the university’s internal medicine clinic one year before and after enrollment in the MAP. Data on patient demographics, medication use, and disease indicators (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], high-density-lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure levels) were collected for the year before enrollment and for one year after enrollment. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive analyses, paired t tests, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results. Of the 401 patients enrolled in the internal medicine clinic who were enrolled in the MAP, sufficient data were available for 52 patients, of whom 73% were women, 50% were African American, and 48% were white. Their mean age was 59 years. All were self-paying customers, with 67.3% receiving Medicare benefits. Patients received more prescription medications (p < 0.001) and antihyperglycemic medications (p = 0.001) after enrollment in the program. Mean HbA1c and LDL cholesterol levels decreased significantly after enrollment (p < 0.001 for both). Mean HDL cholesterol levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements did not change significantly. Conclusion. A clinic-based MAP managing the use of pharmaceutical manufacturers’ drug assistance programs increased indigent patients’ access to antihyperglycemic medications and improved patients’ clinical outcomes. Index terms: Antidiabetic agents; Charity; Diabetes mellitus; Drug use; Industry, pharmaceutical; Outcomes; Prescriptions; Sociology