POLYPHARMACY AND MEDICATION COMPLIANCE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Polypharmacy may affect patient’s QOL. Polypharmacy has been shown to result in Unnecessary and/or inappropriate medication prescribing, increased risk for drug interactions and ADRs, Non adherence, and increased overall drug expenditures. That’s how poly pharmacy affects patient compliance. A retrospective study was conducted about the polypharmacy and medication compliance in patient with type 2 diabetes in various teaching hospitals of Lahore. 19% of patients were prescribed at least one diabetes related medicine and 81% was prescribed more than one diabetes related medicines. 100 patients surveyed were taking a ∑ of 4 medicines per patient to control diabetes and related comorbidities for a total of 378 medicines. Despite the complexity of medical regimens, patients reported high level of compliance for each diabetes related medicine 92% of the prescribed doses were taken with the 6% of missing doses. It was concluded that despite the complexity of medical regimens, patients reported high level of compliance for each diabetes related medicine. Patient’s perception of the immediate and future benefit of prescribed medication had a significant impact on their compliance.  Moreover Attitudes and beliefs about medications play a large role in compliance.