Excellus BCBS: Protecting Patients from Adverse Drug Interactions
Featuring: Dr. Mona Chitre, Director of Pharmacy
Upon discovering that 15 patients with breast cancer were taking antidepressants that could interfere with the effectiveness of their breast cancer medications, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield took immediate action to keep them safe.
“A medication [to prevent] breast cancer recurrence actually has a drug interaction with an antidepressant…We identified…15 patients who did have that interaction. So we immediately notified their oncologists, and we also notified their primary care doctors as well as psychiatrists…We were able to give patients and providers alternatives…”