Although distance from clinic was not directly related to non-adherence, patients living in a rural setting may not have access to these services, thus the role of the community pharmacist is highly pertinent Community Pharmacy has a key role to play in addressing these barriers when conducting MURs and prompting patients to consider their eye-medication when taking a drug history. The effective
management of glaucoma is dependent on good adherence to eye drop medication, since there is a direct link between poor control of intraocular pressure and deterioration of eye sight. Non-adherence to eye medication is estimated to be around 25% (1) which is similar to figures reported for other chronic conditions. Reasons for poor adherence to medicines
are well recognised as multi-factorial, involving practical and perceptual issues. Living in a rural area may also pose selleck kinase inhibitor additional practical barriers, but it is not clear how this TAM Receptor inhibitor influences patient adherence to treatment. The aim of the study was to identify the level of non-adherence and factors that influence adherence to eye-medication in a rural setting. One-to-one interviews were carried out with seven healthcare professionals involved in the prescribing and supply process and three patients to identify the practical barriers to adherence to eye-medication. Thematic analysis of qualitative data were not included in reported results but informed the design of a questionnaire which quantified the extent to which patients experienced these issues. The setting was an eye-clinic in a rural area of Mid-West Wales. Following Health Board Ethics Committee approval, patients
were invited to complete a researcher-administered study questionnaire while waiting for their out-patient appointment. This was divided into five sections: a) patient demographic details including distance from the clinic, b) self-reported adherence, c) level of information provided Abiraterone about administration d) views about the eye drop medication (based on a previously validated questionnaire2) and e) supply / access to medication. Of the 53 patients approached to take part in the study, 51 (96%) completed the study questionnaire. Most (80%) patients reported a good level of adherence (i.e. below a mid-point scale score of 21; 7 to 35 with a high score indicating low adherence) and this was not found to be related to distance from the clinic. A relationship was found between patients who had not been assessed for ability to administer their eye-drops and poor adherence (rho = −0.324, n = 51, p < 0.02). Similarly patients who identified barriers such as dexterity and ability to read labels, demonstrated a lower adherence (rho = 0.756, n = 51, p < 0.05).