%0 Journal Article
%T The effect of one-dose package on medication adherence for the elderly care in Japan
%A Nakai K
%A Yamamoto N
%A Kamei M
%A Fujita M
%J Pharmacy Practice (Granada)
%D 2009
%I Centro de Investigaciones y Publicaciones Farmaceuticas
%X Deterioration of the medication adherence for elderly could result in wasteful medical expenditure in a long-term span as well as aggravating the patient's medical condition.Objective: This study surveyed the effect of one-dose package medication made up by a pharmacist on the patient's behavior towards medication, what is expected to be one of the measures to improve the medication adherence for elderly.Methods: With support activity of the Pharmacist Association in Ueda-city in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, the survey form of one-dose package was sent to 86 pharmacy directors located in Ueda-city. Results: The most frequent reasons of one dose packaging was ¡°Patient¡¯s request¡± though, ¡°Large number of doses¡±, ¡°Prevent the improper drug use¡± and ¡°Improved medication adherence¡± which is considered that the pharmacists are willing to utilize one dose package for patient¡¯s care in order to improve the medication adherence were chosen as well. The influences of one dose package for patient¡¯s medication adherence were very positive, and most answers indicated that medication adherence was improved.Conclusion: It is noticed that the pharmacists were willing to dispense one dose packaging by own decision, not physician¡¯s order, in order to improve the medication adherence, prevent improper drug use and optimize the medication therapy. It is also noticed that there are great improvement of patient¡¯s compliance by one dose package, and patients felt advantage to reduce the improper drug use as well.
%K Drug Packaging
%K Community Pharmacy Services
%K Medication Adherence
%K Japan
%U http://www.pharmacypractice.org/vol07/01/059-062.htm