Pharmacy-based Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

A systematic review of 48 studies published through August 2018 found that tailored interventions delivered by pharmacists increase the number of patients who report taking medications for cardiovascular disease prevention as prescribed. Based on this evidence, the CPSTF recommends tailored pharmacy-based adherence interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention.

What are tailored pharmacy-based interventions?

Tailored pharmacy-based interventions aim to help patients take their medications as prescribed. Patient interviews or assessments tools are used to identify adherence barriers, and pharmacists use the results to develop and deliver guidance and services intended to reduce patients’ barriers.

Facts about Cardiovascular Disease and Medication Adherence

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women – causing 1 in every 4 American deaths. Cardiovascular disease costs the United States about $200 billion each year, including costs of health care services, medications and lost productivity. Patients who do not take their blood pressure medications as prescribed greatly increase their risk [PDF – 50 kB] of developing problems from cardiovascular disease.

For More Information

• The Community Guide
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Pharmacy-based Medication Adherence Interventions – use this one-pager as a quick reference
• CDC Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
• CDC Million Hearts national initiative