Using a pharmacy-based intervention to improve antipsychotic adherence among patients with serious mental illness.

Background: Similar to patients with other chronic disorders, patients with serious mental illness (SMI) are often poorly adherent with prescribed medications.

Objective: We conducted a randomized controlled trial examining the effectiveness of a pharmacy-based intervention (Meds-Help) in increasing antipsychotic medication adherence among Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients with SMI. We also examined the impact of Meds-Help on psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and satisfaction with care.

Using pharmacy data on partial adherence to inform clinical care of patients with serious mental illness.

Objective: Low adherence to antipsychotic medications is a risk factor for poor outcomes for people with serious mental illness. Pharmacy data might be used by health systems to identify partially adherent patients for interventions. This study assessed whether using pharmacy data is an accurate screening method for identifying at-risk patients.