Impact of community pharmacist interventions on medication adherence in chronic disease patients

Abstract

Background: Medicine non-adherence among chronic disease patients is a significant health issue worldwide. Community pharmacists are the only people that are in a strategic position to provide organized interventions that enhance adherence outcomes.

Objective: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis study that aims to determine the effectiveness of community pharmacist-led interventions in enhancing medication adherence in patients with chronic non-communicable conditions.

Methods: The systematic search of studies published between January 2010 and December 2024 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL was performed. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of pharmacist interventions to enhance adherence were considered. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool and the ROBINS-I instrument were used to evaluate the risk of bias.

Result: There were 59 studies that comprised 28,741 patients. Meta-analysis revealed pharmacist interventions significantly improved adherence (OR=2.47, 95% CI: 2.01–3.04, p<0.001, I²=43.6%). Medication therapy management (MTM) produced the greatest gains in adherence (OR=2.89) followed by telephonic follow up (OR=2.41) and patient counselling (OR=2.18). The greatest benefit was observed in hypertension and diabetes subgroups.

Conclusion: Community pharmacist interventions have significant impacts on improving medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases. Healthcare policy makers highly recommend integration of pharmacists into multidisciplinary care teams.