Adherence to drug therapy in psychiatric patients in Nishtar Hospital, Multan (Pakistan)

Abstract

Adherence is very important issue in any drug therapy especially in psychiatric illnesses. Medicines do not work if not taken and if taken in accordance with advice, provide maximum benefit in terms of positive clinical outcomes. Adherence is defined as the extent to which a patient's behavior coincides with medical or prescribed health advice. The term adherence is preferred over compliance. Non-adherence is a major risk factor for unfavorable clinical outcomes in psychiatry patients. Observational study was carried out at Nishtar Hospital, Multan; locate in Southern Punjab (Pakistan). A questionnaire was designed for this study “Adherence to drug therapy”. Results had shown that relapses occur because of non-adherence. Major reasons for non- adherence include inappropriate information given to patient (30%), worries about addiction to medicines (20%), worries about continuous long term use (10%) and others (40%), poor financial resources and non-availability of pharmacist etc. In conclusion adherence to medication regimen among patients with psychiatric disorders is poor. These findings suggest the need for new approaches for increasing patient compliance.