Vascular Health and Risk Management (May 2018)
Nonadherence to statins: individualized intervention strategies outside the pill box
Abstract
Peter Lansberg,1 Andre Lee,2 Zhen-Vin Lee,3 Kannan Subramaniam,4 Sajita Setia5 1Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center, Groningen, the Netherlands; 2Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore; 3Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 4Global Medical Affairs, Asia-Pacific region, Pfizer Australia, West Ryde, NSW, Australia; 5Medical Affairs, Pfizer Pte Ltd, Singapore Abstract: Poor adherence to statin therapy is linked to significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events and death. Unfortunately, adherence to statins is far from optimal. This is an alarming concern for patients prescribed potentially life-saving cholesterol-lowering medication, especially for those at high risk of cardiovascular events. Research on statin adherence has only recently garnered broader attention; hence, major reasons unique to adherence to statin therapy need to be identified as well as suggestions for countermeasures. An integrated approach to minimizing barriers and enhancing facilitation at the levels of the patient, provider, and health system can help address adherence issues. Health care professionals including physicians, pharmacists, and nurses have an obligation to improve patient adherence, as routine care. In order to achieve sustained results, a multifaceted approach is indispensable. Keywords: cardiovascular disease, nonadherence, nocebo, myopathy, statins
