Packaging interventions to increase medication adherence: systematic review and meta-analysis (4 November 2014)

Summary

Inadequate medication adherence is a widespread problem that contributes to increased chronic disease complications and healthcare expenditures. Packaging interventions using pill boxes and blister packs have been widely recommended to address the medication adherence issue. This meta-analysis review from Conn et al. determined the overall effect of packaging interventions on medication adherence and health outcomes. In addition, the authors tested whether effects vary depending on intervention, sample, and design characteristics. Overall, meta-analysis findings support the use of packaging interventions to effectively increase medication adherence.