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[Adherence to chronic medication: also a frequent problem in Belgium!]
S Liekens1, , L Hulshagen2
1KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences Onderwijs & Navorsing 2, boîte 521, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven. sophie.liekens@pharm.kuleuven.be
Journal De Pharmacie De Belgique
|January 24, 2014
Summary
Medication adherence is a significant issue in Belgium for chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes. Cancer patients showed the highest adherence, while asthma patients using inhaled corticosteroids had the lowest rates.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Care
- Public Health
- Chronic Disease Management
Context:
- Medication adherence is a frequent problem in chronic conditions globally.
- Limited data exists for Belgium regarding adherence to specific medications like inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), oral hypoglycemics, heart failure drugs, antiretrovirals, and oral chemotherapy.
- This study addresses the data gap in Belgian pharmaceutical care.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of medication adherence in Belgium for patients with chronic conditions.
- To investigate associations between adherence rates and factors such as age, gender, and drug class.
Summary:
- A quantitative, cross-sectional study analyzed refill data from 50 pharmacies in Belgium between July 2008 and December 2009.
- The Medication Refill Adherence (MRA) method was used to calculate adherence for asthma, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, HIV, and cancer patients.
- Cancer patients exhibited the highest adherence (88%), while ICS users had the lowest (38%). Over 50% of patients with asthma/COPD, heart failure, and diabetes were classified as "under-users".
Impact:
- The study highlights significant medication adherence challenges in Belgium, particularly for asthma patients.
- Identified significant associations between adherence and age, gender, and drug class in several chronic conditions.
- Results underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve medication adherence in Belgian chronic disease management.
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