Primary non-adherence to inhaled medications measured with e-prescription data from Poland

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Background</jats:bold>: Treatment adherence greatly influences the clinical outcomes in various fields of medicine, including management of asthma and COPD. With the recent implementation of a nationwide e-Health solutions in Poland, new and unique opportunities for studying primary non-adherence in asthma and COPD emerged. The aim was to study primary non-adherence to inhaled medications available in Poland indicated in asthma and/or COPD and analyse the impact of patients’ demographics and inhalers’ characteristics (dry powder inhalers (DPIs) vs metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and presence of a dosage counter) on primary non-adherence. <jats:bold>Methods</jats:bold>: A retrospective analysis of all e-prescriptions issued in Poland in 2018 (n=119,880) from the national e-prescription pilot framework.<jats:bold>Results</jats:bold>: Primary non-adherence for inhalable medications reached 15.3%. It significantly differed among age groups – the lowest (10.8%) was in 75+ years-old patients, highest (18%) in 65-74 years-old patients. No gender differences in primary non-adherence were found. The highest non-adherence was observed for ICS + LABA combinations (18.86%). A significant difference was found MDI and DPI inhalers and between inhalers with/without a dosage counter.<jats:bold>Conclusions</jats:bold>: Out of e-prescriptions for inhaled medications issued in 2018 in Poland, 15.3% were not redeemed. The degree of primary non-adherence was influenced by age, but not gender. Significant differences between MDIs and DPIs and between inhalers with/without a dosage counter were observed.</jats:p>

Improving Medication Adherence in Asthma

“…Rates of primary nonadherence for inhaled medications in asthma range from 14 to 20%. 12 13 This phase of treatment adherence is quantified by combining data on treatment prescriptions from an electronic health record and pharmacy dispensing records. Implementation is the correlation between the medication regimen a patient takes and that which they are prescribed.…”