In the pharmaceutical context, MPR stands for Medication Possession Ratio.
It's a measure used to assess a patient's adherence to a prescribed medication regimen. Specifically, it represents the proportion of time a patient has medication available to them over a defined period.
Here's a breakdown:
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Definition: MPR is calculated as the sum of the days' supply for all fills of a particular drug within a specific time period, divided by the total number of days in that time period.
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Formula:
MPR = (Total Days' Supply of Medication / Number of Days in the Period) x 100 -
Calculation Example: Let's say a patient is prescribed a medication for 90 days. They receive the following refills:
- Refill 1: 30-day supply
- Refill 2: 30-day supply
- Refill 3: 30-day supply
Their MPR would be calculated as: (30 + 30 + 30) / 90 = 90/90 = 1.0 or 100%. This indicates perfect adherence.
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Interpretation:
- An MPR of 1.0 (or 100%) indicates perfect adherence, meaning the patient had medication available for the entire duration of the observation period.
- An MPR greater than 1.0 is possible if a patient refills a prescription early, resulting in overlapping supplies. This is often capped at 1.0 or a pre-defined maximum value.
- An MPR below 0.8 (or 80%) is often considered an indicator of poor adherence.
- An MPR is usually looked at over a 6-month or 12-month period to assess long-term adherence.
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Why is MPR Important?
- Patient Outcomes: Higher medication adherence, as reflected by a good MPR, is generally associated with better clinical outcomes, reduced hospitalizations, and improved quality of life.
- Clinical Trials: MPR can be used as an endpoint in clinical trials studying medication adherence interventions.
- Pharmacies & Healthcare Providers: Pharmacies can use MPR data to identify patients who may be struggling with adherence and offer support services such as refill reminders or medication therapy management.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Pharmaceutical companies may use MPR data to understand the real-world use of their products and to develop strategies for improving adherence.
- Research: MPR is a commonly used metric in pharmaceutical research and health outcomes research.
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Limitations:
- MPR only measures medication possession, not actual consumption. A patient could have the medication but not take it as prescribed.
- MPR does not account for dose adjustments or changes in medication regimens.
- The calculation can be affected by early refills or gaps in refills.
- MPR does not provide insight into why a patient might be non-adherent.
In summary, Medication Possession Ratio is a valuable, though imperfect, tool for assessing medication adherence in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare settings. It helps track whether patients are likely to be taking their medications as prescribed, allowing for interventions to improve outcomes.
