Involvement of Pharmacists in Self-injection Treatment with Interferon for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

We investigated the role of pharmacists in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (37 cases) based on data obtained during pharmaceutical care services provided to patients regarding self-injection of interferon -β (IFNβ) at the beginning of such treatment,when we provided continuous training in the injection of IFNβ until all patients could inject themselves.We also explained the adverse reactions,and provided further support after they had left hospital.However,at the beginning,all patients had difficulty in mastering the injection technique and were anxious about adverse effects.These problems hindered self-injection.As adverse effects,fever,lassitude and skin lesions developed.The skin lesions tended to become worse with long-term outpatient treatment and this was thought to be due to non-compliance in IFNβ treatment.Continuous treatment with IFNβ is indispensable in preventing recurrence of MS and maintaining good ADL for patients and we feel that appropriate supportive care provided by pharmacists at the start of IFNβ treatment is effective in ensuring that it is continued.Thus the positive involvement of pharmacists in MS treatment is thought to be necessary and we hope that our efforts will lead to the establishment of standardized pharmaceutical care services for such intractable diseases with relatively few cases.