[Repeat prescription management systems: strategy for optimising their use].
OBJECTIVE
To improve patient compliance with a repeat prescription system. To evaluate the reasons for not being punctual in collecting prescriptions and the non-compliance declared by the patients themselves.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental study before and after intervention including a control group.


METHODS
Primary health care centre which serves a population of 62,981 inhabitants.


METHODS
Patients with chronic diseases included in the repeat prescription management system (100 in the control group and 100 in the intervention group) who were unpunctual in collecting their prescriptions.


METHODS
An informative-educational session consisting of a short interview with the pharmacist from Primary Health Care Centre, in which the patient was educated on compliance of the repeat prescription system and treatment. The reasons for the unpunctuality were identified and the Moriskey-Green test was performed.


METHODS
Punctuality of the patients in collecting their prescriptions after the intervention. Reasons for unpunctuality recorded at recruitment. Therapeutic compliance according to the Moriskey-Green test.


RESULTS
There was an overall absolute improvement of 17% in punctuality in the intervention group (60% of the patients in the intervention group and 43% in the control group were punctual in the first as well as in the second follow up. Women were more punctual in the intervention group. There were no differences seen due to age, number of medications or reason for unpunctuality.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to improve patient compliance with the prescription renewal system using a simple informative-educational intervention.
CAP Rambla, Unidad de Farmacia de Atención Primaria, Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: ellobet@mutuaterrassa.es.
Eva
E
Llobet Traveset
CAP Rambla, Unidad de Farmacia de Atención Primaria, Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, España.
Rosa
R
Madridejos Mora
CAP Rambla, Unidad de Farmacia de Atención Primaria, Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, España.
Rosa
R
Tomás Sanz
D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged