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Updated: May 24, 2026
06:08
Evaluation of Drug Sorption to PVC- and Non-PVC-based Tubes in Administration Sets Using a Pump
Published on: March 11, 2017
[Are drugs taken as prescribed?]
Ingrid Hov1, Margunn Bjartnes, Lars Slørdal
1Institutt for laboratoriemedisin barne- og kvinnesykdommer, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, og Avdeling for klinisk farmakologi, St. Olavs hospital, Norway.
Summary
Patient medication adherence varies significantly across drug classes, often declining over time. Improving adherence requires identifying non-adherent patients and addressing practical issues through effective doctor-patient communication.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Patient Adherence Research
- Clinical Pharmacy Practice
- Health Services Research
Context:
- Medication adherence is crucial for effective treatment outcomes, particularly for chronic conditions.
- Understanding adherence patterns and influencing factors is essential for optimizing patient care.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on adherence across seven key drug classes.
Purpose:
- To review the current state of knowledge regarding medication adherence for major drug classes.
- To identify factors that influence patient adherence to prescribed medications.
- To explore the consequences of non-adherence and strategies for improvement.
Summary:
- Adherence rates varied widely (21-80%) across antidiabetics, antiepileptics, antihypertensives, statins, psychotropic drugs, antibiotics, and analgesics.
- Adherence typically decreases over time, and non-adherence in serious diseases increases mortality risk.
- Factors reducing adherence include complex regimens, side effects, depression, cognitive impairment, and poor follow-up; once-daily dosing improves adherence.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical need for high medication adherence, especially in managing serious diseases.
- Emphasizes the importance of identifying patients with low adherence and understanding their specific challenges.
- Underscores that open patient-doctor communication and addressing practical intake issues are key to improving adherence.
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