title: Interventions to improve adherence to medication in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review of the literature on the role of pharmacists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pharmacists are now adopting a crucial role in the management of chronic illness in primary care, providing diabetes care and advice. This review aims to show whether a range of diabetes care interventions delivered by pharmacists is successful in improving adherence to medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  The studies reviewed formed a subgroup of a Cochrane review on interventions to improve adherence to medication in people with type 2 diabetes. Search terms were 'type 2 diabetes mellitus' and 'compliance' or 'adherence'. Studies were included if they assessed adherence to medical treatment specifically, rather than other aspects of self-management. Out of the 21 studies selected for review, five described an intervention delivered by a pharmacist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two studies reported on attempts to improve adherence focused on the taking of medication. A system of reminders and packaging improved medication adherence, but measuring medicine taking through pill counts or Medication Event Monitoring System was not effective. Three studies evaluated pharmacist-led integrated management and education programmes designed to improve glycaemic control for under-served patient populations. They all succeeded in lowering glycated haemoglobin, but it remains unclear whether this resulted from improved patient adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review indicates a potential benefit of pharmacist interventions to improve medication adherence in diabetes, especially in providing patient education.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Health Care Studies, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick Coventry, UK. antje.lindenmeyer@warwick.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lindenmeyer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hearnshaw
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vermeire
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Royen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wens
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Biot
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents