BACKGROUND:Lipid-lowering drugs are effective preventive medication for patients at risk of cardiovascular complications. However, medication adherence is suboptimal, thereby decreasing therapy effectiveness. Pharmaceutical care interventions may increase therapy adherence. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a proactive pharmaceutical care intervention program, Medication Monitoring and Optimization (MeMO), on therapy discontinuation and adherence with lipid-lowering drugs as well as patients' satisfaction with the intervention program. METHODS: This prospective intervention study included 1002 patients initiating lipid-lowering drug therapy from 9 Dutch community pharmacies. In the intervention group (n = 500), the MeMO program was used, comprising continuous monitoring of patients' adherence to lipid-lowering drugs and personal counseling with nonadherent patients. The intervention group was compared with a historical reference group (n = 502) receiving usual care. Outcomes were therapy discontinuation and adherence. RESULTS:Discontinuation rates with lipid lowering drugs in the first year after drug initiation were 13.6% for the intervention group and 25.9% in the usual care group; continued but non-adherent use was 3.2% and 7.6% in these groups. Patients in the MeMO program had a decreased risk to discontinue medication of 51% (95% confidence interval: 34%-63%). Results were not affected by potential confounders. Patient satisfaction with MeMO was very high; one quarter of patients mentioned that they only received information about their medication from their pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Lipid-lowering drugs are effective preventive medication for patients at risk of cardiovascular complications. However, medication adherence is suboptimal, thereby decreasing therapy effectiveness. Pharmaceutical care interventions may increase therapy adherence. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a proactive pharmaceutical care intervention program, Medication Monitoring and Optimization (MeMO), on therapy discontinuation and adherence with lipid-lowering drugs as well as patients' satisfaction with the intervention program. METHODS: This prospective intervention study included 1002 patients initiating lipid-lowering drug therapy from 9 Dutch community pharmacies. In the intervention group (n = 500), the MeMO program was used, comprising continuous monitoring of patients' adherence to lipid-lowering drugs and personal counseling with nonadherent patients. The intervention group was compared with a historical reference group (n = 502) receiving usual care. Outcomes were therapy discontinuation and adherence. RESULTS: Discontinuation rates with lipid lowering drugs in the first year after drug initiation were 13.6% for the intervention group and 25.9% in the usual care group; continued but non-adherent use was 3.2% and 7.6% in these groups. Patients in the MeMO program had a decreased risk to discontinue medication of 51% (95% confidence interval: 34%-63%). Results were not affected by potential confounders. Patient satisfaction with MeMO was very high; one quarter of patients mentioned that they only received information about their medication from their pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
Authors: Dalia M Dawoud; Alexander Haines; David Wonderling; Joanna Ashe; Jennifer Hill; Mihir Varia; Philip Dyer; Julian Bion Journal: Pharmacoeconomics Date: 2019-10 Impact factor: 4.981
Authors: Fong Sodihardjo-Yuen; Liset van Dijk; Michel Wensing; Peter A G M De Smet; Martina Teichert Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2016-10-28 Impact factor: 2.953
Authors: Victor Johan Bernard Huiskes; Johanna Everdina Vriezekolk; Cornelia Helena Maria van den Ende; Liset van Dijk; Bartholomeus Johannes Fredericus van den Bemt Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-02-28 Impact factor: 3.240