title: Compliance and refill pattern behavior with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors after acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: Patients who had an acute myocardial infarction or other atherosclerotic event and had filled a prescription for an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor were identified for analysis. Compliance was assessed using a multiple-interval refill compliance score. The mean compliance score was 80% and six refill patterns were identified. Regression analysis revealed three factors associated with compliance: (1) days' supply, (2) number of total concomitant medications, and (3) cost sharing. Strategies for improving compliance that may have merit include providing patients with 60- or 90-day supplies (rather than 30-day supplies), controlling the number of other medications prescribed, and lowering copayments for these important medications.
authors.affiliation: Global Outcomes Research Department, Pfizer Inc, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. john.coombs@pfizer.com
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Coombs
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hiller
authors.forename: Dean G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D017047:Cost Sharing; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors