[Influence of package inserts on adherence to medication  in primary care patients].
BACKGROUND
German legislation requires a package insert (PI) to be attached to any drug that informs patients about the use, indications, dosage and possible side effects. This PI is often blamed for deliberate deviations from the patient's prescribed medication regimen. It is unknown to what extent patients use the opportunity to inform themselves by the PI and potential consequences for medication adherence.


METHODS
In semi-structured interviews patients were asked about their use of package inserts, their opinion about PI and potential consequences of PI. Patients with newly prescribed drugs were included in the study. Data analysis was carried according to the qualitative content analysis by Mayring.


RESULTS
71 interviews were analyzed. PIs are used in very different ways and intensity. PIs are predominantly associated with negative connotations. Reading of PI seems to have hardly any immediate impact on medication adherence. Patients expressed that they feel confidence in the pharmaceutical industry and especially rely on the expertise of theirs general practitioner.


CONCLUSIONS
These results point out that the use of PIs may have less impact than often assumed. Reading the package insert in these patients did hardly affect medication adherence.
Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universität Ulm. dagmar.groeber-graetz@uni-ulm.de
D
D
Gröber-Grätz
U-M
UM
Waldmann
W
W
Knaus
M
M
Gulich
H-P
HP
Zeitler
D003625:Data Collection; D030881:Disclosure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004348:Drug Labeling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016903:Drug Monitoring