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. 2017 Jul-Sep;15(3):1026.
doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2017.03.1026. Epub 2017 Aug 26.

The impact of pharmacist-led medication therapy management on medication adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled study

Daniel A Erku  1 , Asnakew A Ayele  2 , Abebe B Mekuria  3 , Sewunet A Belachew  4 , Bisrat Hailemeskel  5 , Henok G Tegegn  6
Affiliations

The impact of pharmacist-led medication therapy management on medication adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled study

Daniel A Erku et al. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2017 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Background: Poor adherence to antidiabetic medications leads to a higher rate of hospital admissions and adverse health outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether a pharmacist-led medication therapy management, compared to the usual care, could enhance medication adherence and reduce hospital admission in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from February 1 to July 30, 2016. Patients in the control group (n=65) received the usual care while patients in the intervention group (n=62) received a personalized pharmacotherapeutic care plan and diabetes education. The two groups were compared by repeated measure ANOVA at 3 and 6-months with medication adherence (using Morisky medication adherence scale) and number of hospital admissions as the main outcome variables.

Results: A total of 127 patients were included in the study. A marked and statistically significant increase in medication adherence from baseline to 3 and 6 months were noted in the intervention group (increased from 9.2% at baseline to 61% at 6 month) compared with the control group (increased from 13.2% at baseline (to 30.2% at 6 month; p-value<0.01). Furthermore, at the 6-month follow-up, only 23 patients in MTM group with poorly controlled blood glucose levels resulted in hospital admissions compared to 48 patients in non-MTM group, resulting in a 52.1% fewer hospital admissions (p< 0.001).

Conclusions: The findings of this study implied that pharmacist-led medication therapy management might improve medication adherence and reduce number of hospitalizations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hence, policies and guidelines should be in place in order for clinical pharmacists to fully engage in patient care and improve the medication therapy outcomes.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; Ethiopia; Medication Adherence; Medication Therapy Management; Patient Education as Topic; Pharmacists; Treatment Outcome; Type 2.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow of participants through the study
Figure 2
Figure 2. Number of hospital admissions for patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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