The Medicines Advice Service Evaluation

The Medicines Advice Service: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Pharmacy-based Telephone Intervention to Support Patients Taking Medication for a Long-term Condition

The purpose of this study is to find out whether talking to a pharmacist on the telephone can help to support people taking medicine for a long-term condition.

Non-adherence to medication is common and although some interventions have shown promise in improving adherence, the findings are inconsistent. This randomised controlled trial aims to test the effectiveness of a pharmacy-based telephone intervention compared to usual care on medication adherence and health outcomes in patients taking medicines for a long-term condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients prescribed medication(s) for at least one of the following conditions: type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients living outside of England
• Patients with no access to a telephone
• Patients under the age of 18
• Patients unable to give written informed consent
• Patients on drugs for dementia
• Patients showing signs of dementia or cognitive impairment in conversation
• Patients with substantial hearing or sight impairment
• Patients whose medications are ordered by a caregiver/family member
• Patients with insufficient English to take part in the telephone intervention
• Patients living with someone already taking part in the study
• Patients newly prescribed a medication for the conditions listed in the inclusion criteria