Third edition published by Medicines Partnership October 5th 2005
This review, the first edition of which was published in June 2003, updates the most systematic review of compliance published by McGavock and colleagues in 1996 which showed that non-compliance was a serious issue affecting up to 50% of medicines prescribed for chronic conditions. Across the 13 specific disease areas (including coronary heart disease, epilepsy and diabetes) studied in the report, the evidence shows that non-compliance is still a major cause of unnecessary ill health and death. The evidence highlighted shows how much non-compliance is intentional and results from a considered decision made by patients, rather than just 'forgetfulness'.
This third edition includes a new chapter on medicines for psychotic conditions (kindly funded through an unrestricted educational grant from Janssen Cilag) and a chapter on asthma (kindly funded through an unrestricted educational grant from Serum), which were not in the first edition.
The 3rd edition can be downloaded in portable document format below.