Published Jul 9, 2013

London, ON, Canada - Sub-optimal medication adherence with hypertension medication is associated with uncontrolled blood pressure and an increasing economic burden. Researchers, clinicians, and policy makers continue to explore new ways of promoting antihypertensive medication adherence, however, there is little consensus on the best way to do this. The ISPOR Medication Adherence & Persistence Special Interest Group conducted a comprehensive systematic review of all evidence published on adherence-enhancing interventions in hypertension. The aim was to help stakeholders determine which strategies promote optimal adherence. The results of the review indicate that interventions aimed at increasing patients’ knowledge of medications carry the greatest potential in improving adherence to antihypertensive medication. Education-based strategies prove to be more effective than a variety of other methods including reminders, packaging, and support groups. Dr. Femida Gwadry-Sridhar, lead author on the study, says, “With increasing emphasis on affordable health care and comparative effectiveness, it is important that we address the challenge of non-adherence and recognize that it poses a significant threat to productivity in society. Novel and engaging ways of promoting sustained adherence behaviour that embrace technologies like the internet and mobile devices present exciting opportunities in health research. Our review provides an evidence-based approach to the future design and implementation of such studies.” The full study, “Impact of Interventions on Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control in Patients with Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review by the ISPOR Medication Adherence and Persistence Special Interest Group,” is published in Value in Health.

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