Medication adherence: pharmacist perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To provide pharmacists with a current, comprehensive review of medication adherence challenges and solutions.


METHODS
A computerized search of the PubMed and Medline databases (through July 2008) identified English language review articles on medication adherence using the MeSH terms patient compliance or adherence and medication, drug regimen, or treatment.


METHODS
By the authors.


METHODS
The results were filtered to include those published in pharmacy journals, and 117 publications were selected based on the content of their abstracts. The final version of this review article used 55 of the 117 publications. An additional 15 publications that provided examples of specific adherence issues were included. A vignette from the authors' experience was used as a case study.


RESULTS
This article introduces the challenge of patient medication adherence, discusses the various methods by which to monitor medication adherence, describes various treatment- and condition-related barriers to adherence, and discusses the effectiveness of numerous adherence intervention strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonadherence to a medication regimen may have multiple underlying causes, some of which may be easier to address than others. Open discussion between the pharmacist and patient regarding barriers to adequate medication adherence, followed by a multifaceted, personalized intervention to address these barriers, plays a key role in encouraging patients to adhere to the recommendations of the health care team.
Bubalo
Joseph
J
OHSU Pharmacy Services, Oregon Health and Science University, SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239, USA. bubaloj@ohsu.edu
Clark
Roger K
RK
Jiing
Susie S
SS
Johnson
Nathan B
NB
Miller
Katherine A
KA
Clemens-Shipman
Colleen J
CJ
Sweet
Amanda L
AL
D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D057220:Health Literacy; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008603:Mental Health; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D019338:Polypharmacy; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D055553:Prescription Drugs