抄録
Concern about rhabdomyolysis,an adverse effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins),is considered to be a cause of poor compliance among patients taking them.In this study,we investigated the effect on drug compliance of providing patients with information on rhabdomyolysis as well as problems in the methods by which pharmacists and physicians provide such information.
We conducted a questionnaire survey of pharmacists working at pharmacy outlets between September and October 2006,in which they were asked about patients expressing concern with respect to rhabdomyolysis,reduced compliance in patients due to such concern and other factors that adversely affected patient compliance.We received responses from 187 pharmacists which showed that many pharmacists had been asked questions about rhabdomyolysis by patients who were extremely worried about it.They also indicated that 2 factors causing concern about rhabdomyolysis and reducing drug compliance were“Patient ignorance concerning adverse effects”and“Pharmacist failure to provide adequate information on adverse effects”.These results suggest that it is important for pharmacists to effectively address patient concerns about adverse effects and provide them with information in an appropriate manner in order to reduce patient anxiety concerning medication.
