Hypertensive Patient Compliance with Pharmacist Intervention: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists and physicians can work together to improve patient compliance especially for the management of hypertension. Medication adherence leads to advance health and reduces hospitalizations (morbidity), death (mortality) and healthcare costs. Objectives: Involvement of pharmacist in treatment intervention can result in improved understanding about hypertension and it can increase medication adherence to antihypertensive therapy which ultimately advance overall quality of life. Study design and methods: A comprehensive research study was conducted using two eminent databases i.e. PUBMED and EMBASE. The research articles from 1996 to 2015 were analyzed. All the selected articles were about pharmacist intervention, hypertensive patient compliance and hypertension medication adherence. Results: Some studies show no control in BP; however, there was significant difference in the systolic and diastolic BP pre and post pharmacist intervention (Systolic from 158.1±14.4 to 143.8 ± 10.7, Diastolic from 100.6 ±11.5 to 89.8 ± 9.7). Conversely, in some studies BP was controlled in about 29.9% of control group and in 63% of the intervention group. Conclusion: Results showed many methods can improve medication adherence and blood pressure including counseling patients in person, collaboration between pharmacists and physicians, and using technology like telecommunication to intensify patients counseling. Pharmacist intervention can significantly increase disease-related knowledge, blood pressure control and medication adherence in patients with hypertension.