A Trial on the Role of Community Pharmacist in Improving Adherence and Clinical Outcomes in Post-Infarction

Adherence, Pharmacists and Secondary Prevention in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Controlled Clinical Trial on the Role of Community Pharmacist in Monitoring Medication Adherence and Improving Clinical Outcomes in Post-infarction

The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the active involvement of Community Pharmacists in improving adherence to medical prescriptions in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), reducing the rate of adverse events and / or re-admissions due to cardiovascular disease and reducing overall health costs. The Hospital and Community Pharmacists will collaborate with each other, the patients, heart specialists and primary care physicians, throughout 12 months from the hospital discharge.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Discharged with a primary diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI, ICD-9 code: 410.x1) from a cardiological ward;
• Required treatment with antiplatelet therapy, beta-blockers, lipid-lowering therapy, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEi), Renin Angiotensin System Inhibitors (RASi) and/or mineralocorticoid/aldosterone receptor antagonists at the hospital admission, alone or in combination;
• Agreeable to participate in adherence plan (if randomized to interventional arm) performed by the community pharmacist who has in charge the patient;
• Agreeable to understand and accept the purpose of the study;
• Signed of the informed consent to participate;
• Be complying with the protocols' procedures within the entire period of study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any prior history of acute myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to study entry;
• Presence of physical or cognitive impairment or dementia;
• Permanent long-term residence in Hospice or facility residents;
• History or presence of any other cardiovascular disease with a life expectancy of < 1 year, hypertension excluded.

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.