Proactive Pharmaceutical Care Interventions Improve Patients’ Adherence to Lipid-Lowering Medication

Abstract

Improving adherence to lipid lowering drugs can be achieved by a proactive pharmaceutical care program. Pharmacists can contribute to optimal use of chronic medication, which is likely to reduce healthcare costs.

Improving Adherence to Lipid-Lowering Therapy in a Community Pharmacy Intervention Program: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

“…18 In the Netherlands in 2008, large-scale and often mandatory generic substitution policies have been installed for many chronic medications, including lipid-lowering drugs. The ensuing competitive bidding strategies led to considerable price reductions of these generics.…”

“…This program was based on a continuous monitoring of therapy use in patients who initiated lipid-lowering drugs. 15,18 A detailed description of the MeMO program is provided elsewhere. 18 A total of 500 patients were included in the MeMO program, while 502 patients who received care as usual served as historical controls.…”

“…15,18 A detailed description of the MeMO program is provided elsewhere. 18 A total of 500 patients were included in the MeMO program, while 502 patients who received care as usual served as historical controls. One year after therapy initiation, the difference in discontinuation between the intervention and the usual care groups was significant with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.37 to 0.66).…”

Pharmaceutical care in Italy and other European countries: between care and commerce?

“…Pharmacist and GP PhC plan in primary care reduces drug-related problems Stuurman-Bieze, 2014 [15] The NL Osteoporosis Pharmacist PhC contributes to more optimal use of osteoporosis medication Olesen, 2014 [16] Denmark Elderly polypharmacy patients Pharmacist PhC has no significant impact on medication adherence, hospitalization or mortality Tommelein, 2014 [17] Belgium Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Pharmacist PhC improves the pharmacotherapeutic regimen and could reduce hospitalization rates Stuurman-Bieze, 2013 [18] The NL Lipid-lowering therapy patients Pharmacist…”

“…Many studies have set out to assess the effectiveness of PhC activities for years, and several have shown some positive impact of educational intervention (verbal or written information) on patients' health outcomes compared to non-intervention, mainly by improving compliance and adherence to drug therapy [11,12]. For European studies in particular, we conducted a specific literature search 1 and found seven studies on PhC in the community [13][14][15][16][17][18][19], all from northern countries ( Table 1). Only one study involved general practitioners (in addition to pharmacists) [14], and all but one [16] concluded in favor of PhC and were only co-authored by pharmacists.…”