Medication adherence and community pharmacy: a review of education, policy and research in England

• Published in: Pharmacy practice : official journal of the GRIPP (Global Research Institute of Pharmacy Practice) 2010, Vol.8 (2), p.77-88
• Main Authors: Clifford, Sarah, Garfield, Sara, Eliasson, Lina, Barber, Nick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adherencia a la medicación; Educación farmacéutica; Education; Farmacéuticos; International Series: Adherence; Medication Adherence; Pharmacists; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Pharmacy; Reino Unido; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1886-3655; 1885-642X; 1886-3655; 1696-1137
• DOI: 10.4321/S1886-36552010000200001

Objective: The objective of this narrative review was to identify and describe the current policy, education and research related to community pharmacy and medication adherence in England. Methods: Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts and Pharmline were used to search for relevant research articles. Current policy documents were identified via the websites of the Department of Health in England, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the National Pharmacy Association, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and NHS Employers. All pharmacy schools in England were contacted to obtain information about the adherence-related courses they provide to undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy students. Results: National policies and guidelines in England are conducive to an increasing role for community pharmacists to support patients with medication adherence. Many pharmacy schools cover the issue of adherence in their undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Research in this area has tested the effectiveness of pharmacists providing adherence support in the form of compliance aids, education, involvement in discharge planning, and tailored interventions. Conclusion: In community pharmacy in England, current policy and funding arrangements suggest there is great scope for pharmacists to support patients with medication adherence. Further research is necessary to identify the most useful, cost-effective and sustainable approach in practice. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa fue identificar y describir la política, educación e investigación actuales relacionadas con la farmacia comunitaria y el cumplimiento de la medicación en Inglaterra. Métodos: Se utilizaron Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts y Pharmline para buscar artículos de investigación relevantes. Se identificaron los documentos políticos actuales a través de la página web del Departamento de Salud de Inglaterra, de la Royal Pharmaceutical Society de Gran Bretaña, de la Asociación Nacional de Farmacia, del Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee y del NHS Employers. Se contactó con todas las facultades de farmacia en Inglaterra para obtener información sobre los cursos relacionados con el cumplimiento que proporcionaban a estudiantes de pre- y post-grado. Resultados: Las políticas nacionales y las guías en Inglaterra son conducentes a un mayor papel de los farmacéuticos comunitarios en el apoyo al cumplimiento de la medicació