Objective: To determine whether pharmacist intervention improves the medication adherence in the heart failure population and to identify the barriers affecting adherence.
Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted in 1000 bedded multi specialty private hospital to assess the medication adherence through pharmacist counseling and barriers involved in adherence by using Morisky medication adherence.
Results: The male heart failure population (88%) was predominant compared to females (12%). The 51-70 year age group patients were identified to have lower adherence rate (37.3%) followed by 71-90 year population with 25.3% adherence rate. The adherence score was obtained at baseline and after 6 months which showed statistically significant improvement*P<0.0001. The major adherence barrier was forgetfulness (63%) under patient related problem and polypharmacy was the major factor under medical related barrier (27.7%).
Conclusion: The pharmacist based intervention and counseling improved medication adherence in heart failure patients. The major barriers identified can be overcome by continuous intervention by the pharmacist especially in a chronic disease like heart failure
