OBJECTIVES: Fingolimod is an oral drug for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) with safety issues. The Community Pharmacy of the Department of Ambulatory Care & Community Medicine of Lausanne (Switzerland) developed a pharmacy-based person-centred program: the Fingolimod Patient Support Program (F-PSP). The F-PSP aims to support medication adherence as well as to ensure fingolimod effectiveness and patient safety. It combines regular motivational interviews, electronic longitudinal adherence monitoring and pharmacovigilance activities, carried out in collaborative practice with neurologists and MS nurses. Seventy patients have voluntarily joined the F-PSP (2013-2017). The aim of this study was to explore patients’ satisfaction, experiences and perceptions regarding the F-PSP.

METHODS: Qualitative study carried out by individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited among patients involved in the F-PSP, using predefined criteria: age, gender, F-PSP follow-up duration, pharmacy and previous experience in MS treatment. Interviews were conducted and audio-recorded by a pharmacist researcher (AB) or an anthropologist researcher (JD). Thereafter, interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded using MAXQDA v.12 and analysed via thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Five main themes emerged from the interviews (n=17): reasons for participating, pharmacist-led interviews, electronic monitor, interprofessional collaboration, and overall F-PSP perception. Patients found the experience with the F-PSP to be positive. They considered this intervention as a comprehensive and complementary approach to medical care. Pharmacist-led interviews provided them with an attentive support and were seen as an opportunity to discuss, and ask any drug related questions. Moreover, most patients appreciated the electronic monitor as a support for medication adherence, reassuring both them and their relatives.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, participants were satisfied with the F-PSP. These patients’ feedback on their experience and perception will enable to optimize the F-PSP for future patients and support its dissemination.