Pharmacist intervention for blood pressure control: medication intensification and adherence

The objective of this study was to describe medication adherence and medication intensification in a physician–pharmacist collaborative management (PPCM) model compared with usual care. This study was a prospective, cluster, randomized study in 32 primary care offices from 15 states. The primary outcomes were medication adherence and anti–hypertensive medication changes during the first 9 months of the intervention. The 9–month visit was completed by 539 patients, 345 of which received the intervention. There was no significant difference between intervention and usual care patients in regards to medication adherence at 9 months. Intervention patients received significantly more medication changes (4.9 vs.1.1; P = .0003) and had significantly increased use of diuretics and aldosterone antagonists when compared with usual care (P = .01).The PPCM model increased medication intensification; however, no significant change in medication adherence was detected. PPCM models will need to develop non–adherence identification and intervention methods to further improve the potency of the care team.