Retos y estrategias en la adherencia a los medicamentos

The World Health Organization defines adherence as the degree to which a patient’s behavior, in relation to taking medication, following a diet or modifying lifestyle habits, corresponds to the recommendations agreed with the health professional. The magnitude and consequences associated with non-compliance place adherence as an important issue for public health worldwide. In addition, the progressive increase in the number of multi-pathological and polymedicated patients increases this problem.

In Spain, 50% of chronic patients are not adherent to treatments, according to the Survey on Therapeutic Adherence in Spain (2016). In cardiovascular diseases alone, an improvement in adherence of 10% would imply avoiding more than 8,700 deaths and up to 7,650 cardiovascular events, with an avoidable direct health expenditure of 75 million euros.

The Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation publishes the book Retos y estrategias en la adherencia a los medicamentos (Challenges and Strategies in Medication Adherence), in which experts address therapeutic adherence from a multidisciplinary point of view to raise awareness of this problem and provide some solutions. The publication is coordinated by Olatz Ibarra, head of the Pharmacy Service of the University Hospital of Galdakao-Usansolo and also has the participation of the science journalist Michele Catanzaro.

“To improve adherence, it is necessary to work individually with each patient, inform them, talk about their expectations and reach realistic agreements. Without a shift towards a more humane medicine, it will be difficult to find solutions,” says the journalist in a chapter of the book. It also calls for an improvement in the communication strategy so that adherence is part of the social debate.

For Olatz Ibarra “it is necessary to create a culture of adherence to treatment, facilitating the determination of adherence and motivating the implementation of plans to improve adherence in healthcare”. To this end, it proposes to apply intervention strategies that have already been effective, such as reminders, simplification of treatments, pharmaceutical care and patient participation.

“A care model focused on the person and on the co-responsibility of the patient is essential to improve the quality of life and the effectiveness of the health system”

The Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation Notebook also has the participation of Mireia Massot, vice-president of the Spanish Society of Pharmacists in Primary Care. “A key aspect in the approach to adherence, from the point of view of the health system, is the need for a comprehensive approach by the doctor, nurse and pharmacist, where each of them, at the time of the act of care (prescription, follow-up and dispensation), will be able to emphasize the importance of being adherent to medication to achieve good health results.  or at least the expected results,” Massot points out in his chapter.

Finally, the point of view of the patients is represented by Tomás Fajardo, member of the Platform of Patient Organizations. “Therapeutic adherence is a priority for people with chronicity, since the success of treatment depends on consistency in its compliance. A care model focused on the person and on the co-responsibility of the patient is essential to improve the quality of life and the effectiveness of the health system,” he concludes.

The Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation Notebook Retos y estrategias en la adherencia a los medicamentos arises from the session of the same name held on November 26, 2024 at the Esther Koplowitz Center in Barcelona. Hosted by Michele Catanzaro, it could also be followed through the Foundation’s YouTube channel.

KEYWORDS | Social pharmacology

Chapters