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Abstract

We appreciated the letter by Bhat and colleagues1Bhat S. et al.Gastroenterology. 2021; 160: 1880Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar and fully support the role of the clinical pharmacist in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Pharmacists have several tasks ranging from patient education/counseling to medication management, from monitoring/follow-up to prevention of adverse events. Counseling with a clinical pharmacist has been associated with improvements in acceptability and adherence to treatment of patients with IBD, thus reducing the risk of relapse.2Tiao D.K. et al.Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2017; 23: 1257-1261Crossref PubMed Scopus (26) Google Scholar Interestingly, in patients with other chronic diseases, such as asthma and type 2 diabetes, pharmacist interventions led to better disease control and improvements in patient satisfaction and quality of life.3Prasad S.S. et al.Pharmacy (Basel). 2020; 8: 204Crossref Google Scholar In addition, during the current health emergency setting, pharmacists could assess compatibility and possible interactions between IBD drugs (eg, steroids, immunosuppressants, biologics, and small molecules) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) therapy in subjects with suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and in those with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Moreover, they could also monitor the pharmacovigilance data, excluding any late adverse events. A multidisciplinary approach that includes the pharmacist activity is essential to ensure optimal patient care and not to overlook important aspects related to safety, efficacy, and costs of drugs.4D’Amico F. et al.Dig Liver Dis. 2020; 52: 138-142Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar The European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization also emphasizes the importance of the clinical pharmacist by recognizing collaboration with at least 1 pharmacist/pharmacologist/health care professional educated in pharmacology as an indicator of excellence in the quality of care of patients with IBD.5Fiorino G. et al.J Crohns Colitis. 2020; 14: 1037-1048Crossref PubMed Scopus (39) Google Scholar However, although there are undoubted advantages of multidisciplinary management, there is still a gap in clinical practice regarding integrated care to patients with IBD, and the clinical pharmacist is not a frequent component of the IBD unit.6Prasad S.S. et al.JGH Open. 2020; 4: 221-229Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar Further efforts are needed to implement the active role of pharmacists within the IBD units to improve quality of care for patients with IBD. As pharmacists are present in all the hospitals, specific IBD educational training should be promoted by scientific societies. Roles of Clinical Pharmacists in Caring for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease During COVID-19GastroenterologyVol. 160Issue 5PreviewWe read with interest the article by D’Amico and colleagues,1 which discussed the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on caring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This article highlights the need to continue IBD treatment in patients not suspected to have a COVID-19 infection and the challenges in maintaining continuity of care during restrictions on travel and clinic access. In response, we would like to illustrate how clinical pharmacists could be used in IBD centers to overcome the practice barriers imposed by COVID-19. Full-Text PDF