title: Adherence and persistence associated with an appointment-based medication synchronization program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of an appointment-based medication synchronization (ABMS) program on medication adherence and persistence with chronic medications. DESIGN Quasiexperimental study in which study patients were matched with control patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rural pharmacies in the Midwestern United States between June 30, 2011, and October 31, 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals receiving at least two refills for one of six categories of medications to treat chronic diseases (i.e., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, thiazide diuretics, metformin, statins).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients in the ABMS program were compared with control patients receiving usual care.
  
  
  METHODS
  1-year adherence rates using proportion of days covered (PDC) and 1-year nonpersistence rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depending on the drug class, patients enrolled in the medication synchronization program (n = 47-81) had adherences rates of 66.1% to 75.5% during 1 year versus 37.0% to 40.8% among control patients. Program patients had 3.4 to 6.1 times greater odds of adherence compared with control patients. Control patients were 52% to 73% more likely to stop taking their chronic medications over 1 year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An ABMS program in community pharmacies was associated with improved patient adherence and reduced likelihood of nonpersistence.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Holdford
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Inocencio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations