Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the barriers to treatment adherence and need for pharmaceutical care services among HIV patients in Jordan.

Method: This is a qualitative in-depth interview study. Participants were recruited with the assistance of a Non-governmental organization specialized in HIV patients. Fifteen patients were interviewed using a pre-designed interview guide. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, and de-identified prior to analysis. Results were then imported into QSR International’s NVivo 11 Software.

Results: Three main themes emerged from the interviews. Those included patient-related factors, medication-related factors and Healthcare professional related factors. This study found that a number of barriers that decreased adherence in HIV patients included stigmatization, fear from disclosure, dosage form of the drug, adverse events, and poor cooperation from healthcare professionals. On the other hand, supporting factors included family and friends support, electronic mobile reminders, feeling responsible to raising children, religious beliefs, and feeling improvement while using therapy. Furthermore, the study illustrated that HIV patients need to have a specialist pharmacist in their healthcare team who delivers specialized pharmaceutical care services which may increase patients’ adherence.

Conclusion: Adherence to HIV treatment is subjective and related to various barriers and supporting factors. Participants reported a strong need for pharmaceutical care services, HIV specialized pharmacists, and a pharmacist that treats them with empathy and understand what they are going through. There is still a need to develop educational programs and implement proper counseling in order to improve Jordanian pharmacist awareness about HIV disease and treatment options.