Association between ethnicity and medication adherence

Medication adherence is a multidimensional phenomenon. It is occurred for a variety of reasons, such as disease-related, treatment-related and socio-economic factors etc.. But what about ethnicity? Is ethnicity related with adherence? Little is known about the association between these factors, however it would be important to identify factors related to adherence in order to develop more effective strategies that can improve medication-taking behavior. E.g. What about ethnic-specific approaches, are these needed to improve adherence?

Factors associated with medication adherence to oral hypoglycaemic agents in different ethnic groups suffering from type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review and suggestions for further research.

Peeters B, Van Tongelen I, Boussery K, Mehuys E, Remon JP, Willems S.

AIMS: To synthesize knowledge regarding the different factors that may influence adherence to oral hypoglycaemic agents in different ethnic groups through a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS: Thirteen databases were searched and 1201 articles were screened by two authors independently from each other. Different quantitative study designs were included if the study population included at least one ethnic group other than White people, medication adherence was a dependent variable and a clear description was given of the method used to measure medication adherence.

RESULTS: Demographic, disease-related and treatment-related, socio-economic and cultural factors were associated with medication adherence in the populations that were studied. However, to synthesize results, the number of studies was too small and the included studies differed too much with respect to their study designs and the ethnic groups that were studied. We discuss several methodological challenges with respect to measuring medication adherence, measuring ethnicity and study designs that need to be resolved to make future studies comparable. We propose methodological improvements for future research.

CONCLUSION: Although medication adherence is an essential part of the diabetic regimen, little is known about the association between ethnicity and medication adherence and the underlying factors that could explain this association. More research is needed in which important methodological challenges will have to be faced.

New medical package offering improved opportunities for real-time adherence control - Stora Enso Pharma DDSi Wireless

Healthcare efficiency and patient treatment will take a major step forward when the new Stora Enso Pharma DDSi Wireless is made available to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry at the Pharmapack 2011 exhibition and conference in Paris on 23-24 February 2011.

The Stora Enso Pharma DDSi Wireless package is based on conductive ink on a carton board based blister inlay, which is connected to a cellular module embedded in the package. This enables the tracking of one pill at the time on removal from the blister, whereby data is sent to the cellular module and then forwarded wirelessly, even instantaneously if required, using GSM or GPRS cellular networks, to electronic health record systems. This allows real-time tracking and intervention by a physician and also enables physicians to make timely changes to patients' medication.

The blister inlay connected to the cellular module in the Pharma DDSi Wireless is made of environment-friendly, recyclable carton board with no metal components. The cellular module is equipped with a chargeable battery enabling up to several months of lifetime without recharging.

The principal benefits derive from the numerous possibilities that this solution provides to healthcare service providers: sending voice-call reminders or text messages (SMS) to patients, or making personal visits when important prescribed medication has not been taken in time. Patients can also elect to have the data provided to relatives, pharmacists, physicians and healthcare providers so that they can treat the patient more effectively and intervene if treatment changes are required.

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Stora Enso Pharma.