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Medication Compliance Aids Unpackaged: A National Survey
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  • Sharmila Walters,
  • Mollika Chakravorty,
  • Sophie McLachlan,
  • Jessica Odone,
  • Jennifer Stevenson,
  • John Minshull,
  • Rebekah Schiff
Sharmila Walters
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Mollika Chakravorty
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
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Sophie McLachlan
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
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Jessica Odone
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
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Jennifer Stevenson
King's College London
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John Minshull
Northwick Park Hospital
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Rebekah Schiff
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
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Abstract

Background: 64 million pharmacy filled multicompartment medication compliance aids (MCAs) are dispensed by pharmacies in England each year as a method to improve medication adherence. Despite the widespread use of MCAs and evidence that their use may be associated with harm there is no national consensus regarding MCA provision by acute hospital Trusts in England. Aim: To determine current practice for initiation and supply of MCAs in acute hospital Trusts in England and the potential consequences for patients and hospitals. Methods: A 26 item survey was distributed to all acute hospital Trusts in England. The questionnaire covered policy, initiation, supply and review of MCAs; alternatives offered; and pharmacy staffing and capacity related to MCAs. Results: 72 out of 138 (52%) Trusts responded to the survey. 60/70 (86%) had a policy for the provision of MCAs. 33/55 (60%) that supplied MCAs on discharge supplied a different prescription length for MCA vs. non-MCA prescriptions. 49/55 (89%) Trusts provided only one brand of MCA. 47/55 (85%) MCA-supplying Trusts identified frequent difficulties with MCAs and 13/55 (24%) reported employing staff specifically to complete MCAs. 30/35 (86%) MCA-initiating Trusts had an assessment process for initiation, with care agency request as the most common reason. Conclusion: There is a lack of a national approach to MCA provision and initiation by acute hospital Trusts in England. This leads to significant variation in care and has the potential to put MCA users at an increased risk of medication related harm.
23 Jun 2021Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
24 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
24 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
27 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
14 Oct 20211st Revision Received
15 Oct 2021Submission Checks Completed
15 Oct 2021Assigned to Editor
15 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Oct 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
07 Feb 20222nd Revision Received
08 Feb 2022Submission Checks Completed
08 Feb 2022Assigned to Editor
08 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Feb 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
27 Mar 20223rd Revision Received
28 Mar 2022Submission Checks Completed
28 Mar 2022Assigned to Editor
28 Mar 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Apr 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Oct 2022Published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology volume 88 issue 10 on pages 4595-4606. 10.1111/bcp.15386