A PHARMACIST CARE PROGRAM: THE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE OUTCOMES OF LIPID-LOWERING THERAPY

Abstract

Poor medication adherence is a major problem among patients with chronic diseases, and this is particularly commonly observed for lipid-lowering medications, including statins. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed based on a search of two databases to identify relevant reports published by April 2021. The studies were controlled trials in which the community or clinical pharmacists conducted an intervention to improve patient adherence and clinical outcomes. Thirty-nine studies (34,137 participants) were included in the analyses. Participants in the intervention group had better adherence than those in the control group: odds ratio (OR) =2.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.63-2.61; P=0.0001; I2=79.44%; 66.23-87.49. This effect was accompanied by a significant improvement in clinical outcomes, i.e. a decrease in plasma lipid levels (TC, LDL-C, and triglycerides) and body mass index. These were influenced by the type and duration of intervention, the nature of the disorder, and the role of the pharmacist. Interventions delivered by both clinical and community pharmacists increase adherence for patients receiving lipid-lowering medication for dyslipidemia or cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The clinical pharmacist was found to have a more pronounced impact on the normalization of lipid profile.