Effectiveness of a targeted and tailored pharmacist-led intervention to improve adherence to antihypertensive drugs among patients with type 2 diabetes in Indonesia: A cluster randomised controlled trial.

AIM

To assess the effects of a targeted and tailored pharmacist-led intervention among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who are nonadherent to antihypertensive drugs.

METHODS

A cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted in 10 community health centres (CHCs) in Indonesia among T2DM patients aged ≥18 years who reported nonadherence to antihypertensive drugs according to the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5). Patients in CHCs randomised to the intervention group received a tailored intervention based on their adherence barriers (eg, forgetfulness, lack of knowledge, lack of motivation and/or other drug-related problems) using a simple question-based flowchart at baseline and 1-month follow-up. Patients in control CHCs received usual care. Primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in MARS-5 score from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included changes in patients' blood pressure and their medication beliefs. Differences in difference in primary and secondary outcomes between groups were assessed using general linear models.

RESULTS

In total, 201 patients were screened for eligibility, 113 met the inclusion criteria and participated, and 89 (79%) patients had complete follow-up. Forgetfulness (42%) and lack of knowledge (18%) were the most common adherence barriers identified at baseline. The intervention improved medication adherence by 4.62 points on the MARS-5 scale (95% CI 0.93 to 8.34, P value = 0.008). There were no significant changes in blood pressure levels and beliefs about antihypertensive drugs.

CONCLUSION

A tailored low-cost pharmacist-led intervention aimed at nonadherent T2DM patients resulted in an improvement in medication adherence to antihypertensive drugs. There were no significant changes in secondary outcomes.