Effect Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Access To Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors In Nigeria

Authors

  • O. J. Olarewaju Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • R. A. A. Bolarinwa Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • M. A. Durosinmi Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • O. Oyewole Department of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • T. O. Owojuyigbe Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • O. A. Omoyiola Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • O. A. Adeyeye Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • E. Nelson Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • O. L. Ochogwu Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • O. O. Oguns Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • S. O. Kusoro Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • O. B. Oni Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • I. O. Ahmed   Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • A. K. Osisiogu Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • M. B. Agim Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • T. A. Fabinu Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • O. T. Bosede Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • L. Salawu Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author
  • N. O.  Akinola Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  Author

Keywords:

Nigeria, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), COVID-19

Abstract

Background:  Accessing Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) during COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown threatened the abysmally low adherence to therapy in Nigeria. An alternative means of getting medications to the beneficiaries by courier was assessed. 
 
Aims and Objectives:  To assess clinic attendance of patients on TKIs during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in relation to pre-COVID era; the measures taken to ensure safe delivery of TKIs to the door-step of patients on these medications nationwide; and the outcome. 
 
Materials and Methods:  Clinic attendance of all active patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), or chronic  eosinophilic  leukaemia  (CEL)  on TKIs was assessed from January to September 2020. In collaboration with the Pharmacy  Department,  a  reliable  courier service was engaged to deliver TKIs to the door step of patients with informed consent during  the  lockdown  period.  Account  of drugs posted and the latest full blood count results of patients were obtained and documented appropriately.  
 
Results:  A total of 862 out of 935 registered patients, accessed TKIs during the period of evaluation between March and September 2020; 569 (66%) used courier service, while 220 (25.5%) attended outpatient clinics and 73 (8.5%) were lost to follow up. The majority of the courier users, 219 (38.5%) were from South West (SW), while the least, 30 (5.3%) were from North East (NE).  Clinic  attendance  for April  (21)  and May  (43)  during  the  lockdown  was  low compared to the average monthly attendance  before  lockdown  (January to March; 174). There was a significant difference in the use of courier service (χ 2 = 34.815; p = 0.001) and clinic attendance (χ2  = 27.000; p  =  0.001)  when  compared with the number of patients registered per region.  
 
Conclusion:  The lockdown period impacted very negatively  on  clinic  attendance  and  the engagement of a courier service facilitated home delivery of TKIs at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. This method may be further explored to improve adherence to therapy going forward.

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Published

2021-01-01

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How to Cite

Olarewaju , O. J., Bolarinwa , R. A. A., Durosinmi , M. A., Oyewole, O., Owojuyigbe , T. O., Omoyiola , O. A., Adeyeye , O. A., Nelson , E., Ochogwu , O. L., Oguns, O. O., Kusoro , S. O., Oni , O. B., Ahmed ,I.O., Osisiogu , A. K., Agim , M. B., Fabinu , T. A., Bosede , O. T., Salawu , L., & Akinola , N. O. (2021). Effect Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Access To Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors In Nigeria . Nigerian Journal of Haematology, 5(1&2), 36-43. https://njhaem.org.ng/index.php/home/article/view/57

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