Compliance for anticonvulsant medication in an institution for mentally retarded

The compliance in a large institution for mentally retarded was evaluated using the results of the plasma levels of anticonvulsant medications that were routinely requested for the management of the patients living there. Because these tests are part of the routine work-up, the study could be done at no extra cost for the institution and no hazard for the patients involved in the study. In this particular case, the compliance for antiseizure medication was considered to be good. Once the compliance for a medication that is widely used throughout the institution is established, it is reasonable to extend the conclusions to other medications prescribed in the same place.