Role of the Clinical Pharmacist in adherence to the treatment of Multidrug-Resistant and Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: Different strategies have been employed to improve treatment adherence of TB patients. Individual patient care and follow-up, clear lines of communication, compliance aids, educational materials, and incentives have all been shown to improve adherence.Objective: The objective of this Study is to investigate the role of Clinical Pharmacist in relation to the adherence to treatment of MDR-TB and XDR-TB.Methodology: The pilot study was conducted in the PMDT Lady Reading hospital Peshawar. Data was collected by using questionnaire which was designed to collect demographic variables as well as knowledge, attitude and adherence to the treatment of MDR-TB. This study includes all patients who enrolled from Jan 2012 to Dec 2013. All data collected were then coded, edited and entered to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16.0software and analyzed.Results: Among study cases 58.47% were male and 41.53% were female. Among study cases 23.88% patients need Pharmaceutical care. Most of the patients faced side effects of drugs, of which Gastrointestinal issues.Conclusion: Patients' adherence to TB treatment improved when apharmacist provided patient education on medication use and addressed patients' pharmaceutical care issues.