#44: Improving patient adherence to medication with Dr Eric Peterson

Jan 9, 2012 15:45 EST

Patient adherence to medication has long defied quantification, with many physicians assuming that the cost of medications is the primary factor explaining poor rates of compliance. The MI FREEE trial conducted by Dr Niteesh Choudry, and presented during AHA 2011 offers stunning proof that compliance is a more complicated issue than cost alone and raises numerous issues that our guest Dr Eric Peterson discusses. How do we explain abysmal rates of patient adherence to medication? Should the physician be held responsible for adherence?

See:

Cutting copays for post-MI drugs helps outcomes, with no added cost to insurers

Choudhry N, Avorn J, Glynn R, et al. The impact of full coverage for preventative medications after myocardial infarction on recurrent vascular events and health spending: The post-myocardial infarction free Rx event and economic evaluation (MI FREEE) trial. N Engl J Med 2011; DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsa110793. Available at: http://www.nejm.org

Aetna. Aetna launching value-based program that improves medication adherence, cost and outcomes for members who have suffered from heart attacks [press release]. November 14, 2011. Available here.

Goldman L and Epstein AM. Improving adherence—money isn't the only thing. N Engl J Med 2011; DOI:10.1056/nejme1111558. Available at: http://www.nejm.org.

Dr Peterson has received grants for clinical research from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and Sanofi-Aventis

For Dr Harrington's disclosures, click here.