Medication Management in Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Psychiatric Pharmacists in Primary Care

Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2024 Nov 1;129(6):446-452. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-129.6.446.

Abstract

This study describes the role of psychiatric pharmacists (PPs) in medication management at a county-hospital-based primary care clinic serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). During a 20-week period, PPs provided 308 interventions for 97 patients with IDD, 55% of whom had a concomitant psychiatric/behavioral disorder and 70% of whom were taking at least one psychotropic medication. PP services included medication reviews (48%), medication histories (13%), collaborative care (12%), pharmacotherapy interventions (11%), advisory services (9%), and patient/caregiver education (7%). Psychotropics were involved in 66% of interventions. Our results demonstrate that PPs may address psychotropic-related challenges in this practice setting by performing a variety of services. Additional studies are needed to fully evaluate the impact of this integrative model.

Keywords: intellectual and developmental disabilities; medication management; medication reviews; psychiatric pharmacists; psychotropics.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Developmental Disabilities* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Medication Therapy Management / standards
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Pharmacists*
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Professional Role
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs