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Can Improved Prescription Medication Labeling Influence Adherence to Chronic Medications? An Evaluation of the Target Pharmacy Label

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Prescription medication labels contain valuable health information, and better labels may enhance patient adherence to chronic medications. A new prescription medication labeling system was implemented by Target pharmacies in May 2005 and aimed to improve readability and understanding.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated whether the new Target label influenced patient medication adherence.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

Using claims from two large health plans, we identified patients with one of nine chronic diseases who filled prescriptions at Target pharmacies and a matched sample who filled prescriptions at other community pharmacies.

MEASUREMENTS

We stratified our cohort into new and prevalent medication users and evaluated the impact of the Target label on medication adherence. We used linear regression and segmented linear regression to evaluate the new-user and prevalent-user analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

Our sample included 23,745 Target users and 162,368 matched non-Target pharmacy users. We found no significant change in adherence between new users of medications at Target or other community pharmacies (p = 0.644) after implementing the new label. In prevalent users, we found a 0.0069 percent reduction in level of adherence (95% CI −0.0138-0.0; p < 0.001) and a 0.0007 percent increase in the slope in Target users (the monthly rate of change of adherence) after implementation of the new label (95% CI 0.0001–0.0013; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no changes in adherence of chronic medication in new users, and small and likely clinically unimportant changes in prevalent users after implementation of the new label. While adherence may not be improved with better labeling, evaluation of the effect of labeling on safety and adverse effects is needed.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Pioneer Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Dr. Shrank is supported by a career development award from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (K23HL090505-01). Dr. Brookhart is supported by a career development award from the National Institute of Aging (AG-027400).

Drs. Shrank, Avorn, Choudhry, Schneeweiss, and Brookhart receive research funding from CVS Caremark for studies on medication adherence.

We would like to thank Joy Lee for her administrative and technical help with the project.

Conflict of Interest

None disclosed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to William H. Shrank MD, MSHS.

Additional information

This work was supported by the Pioneer Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Shrank is supported by a career development award from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (K23HL090505-01). Dr. Brookhart is supported by a career development award from the National Institute of Health (AG-027400).

Appendices

Appendix 1: Medications used to identify patients who might have one of nine chronic diseases

  1. (1)

    Atrial fibrillation

    1. (a)

      Warfarin (coumadin)

    2. (b)

      Beta-blockers: Acebutolol Hydrochloride, Atenolol, Betaxolol Hydrochloride, Bisoprolol Fumarate, Carteolol Hydrochloride, Esmolol Hydrochloride, Metoprolol Succinate, Metoprolol Tartrate, Nadolol, Penbutolol Sulfate, Pindolol, Propranolol Hydrochloride, Sotalol Hydrochloride, Timolol Maleate

    3. (c)

      Calcium channel blockers, nondihydropyridines: Diltiazem Hydrochloride, Diltiazem Malate, Mibefradil Di-Hydrochloride, Verapamil Hydrochloride

  2. (2)

    Diabetes

    1. (a)

      Ace inhibitors: Benazepril Hydrochloride, Captopril, Enalapril Maleate, Enalaprilat, Enalaprilat Dihydrate, Fosinopril Sodium, Lisinopril, Moexipril Hydrochloride, Perindopril Erbumine, Quinapril Hydrochloride, Ramipril, Trandolapril

    2. (b)

      Angiotensin receptor blocker: Candesartan, Cilexetil, Eprosartan Mesylate, Irbesartan, Losartan Potassium, Olmesartan Medoxomil, Telmisartan, Valsartan

    3. (c)

      Metformin

    4. (d)

      Sulfonureas: glipizide, glyburide, gliclazide, glimepiride,

    5. (e)

      Glitazones: rosiglitazone, pioglitazone

    6. (f)

      Insulin: insulin aspart, insulin glulisine, insulin lispro, regular, nph, lente, ultrelente, insulin detemir, insulin glargine, insulin mixtures (novolog 70/30, humalog 75/25, humulin 70/30, humulin 50/50, novolin 70/30—these are brand names)

  3. (3)

    Asthma/COPD

    1. (a)

      Beta agonists: albuterol, fenoterol, formoterol, fenotorol, levalbuterol, metaproteronol, pirbuterol, salmeterol, terbutaline

    2. (b)

      Combos: advair, combivent, duoned, symbicort (these are brand names)

    3. (c)

      Inhaled steroids: beclomethasone, budesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone, mometasone, triamcinolone

    4. (d)

      Leukotriene inhibitors: montelukast, zafirlukast, zileuton

    5. (e)

      Others: ipatropium, tiotropium

  4. (4)

    Hypercholesterolemia/Hyperlipidemia

    1. (a)

      Statins: atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, fluvastatin, vytorin

    2. (b)

      Other: niacin, ezetimibe

    3. (c)

      Bile acid sequestrants: cholestyramine, cholesevelam, colestipol

    4. (d)

      Fibrates: fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, bezafibrate

  5. (5)

    CHF (congestive heart failure)

    1. (a)

      Ace inhibitors: Benazepril Hydrochloride, Captopril, Enalapril Maleate, Enalaprilat, Enalaprilat Dihydrate, Fosinopril Sodium, Lisinopril, Moexipril Hydrochloride, Perindopril Erbumine, Quinapril Hydrochloride, Ramipril, Trandolapril

    2. (b)

      Loop diuretics: furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide

    3. (c)

      Angiotensin receptor blocker: Candesartan, Cilexetil, Eprosartan Mesylate, Irbesartan, Losartan Potassium, Olmesartan Medoxomil, Telmisartan, Valsartan

    4. (d)

      Aldosterone ant.: spironolactone, eplerenone

    5. (e)

      Beta-blockers: Acebutolol Hydrochloride, Atenolol, Betaxolol Hydrochloride, Bisoprolol Fumarate, Carteolol Hydrochloride, Esmolol Hydrochloride, Metoprolol Succinate, Metoprolol Tartrate, Nadolol, Penbutolol Sulfate, Pindolol, Propranolol Hydrochloride, Sotalol Hydrochloride, Timolol Maleate

    6. (f)

      Digoxin

  6. (6)

    Osteoporosis

    1. (a)

      Bisphosphonates: alendronate, clodronate, etidronate, ibandronate, pamidronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid

  7. (7)

    Hypertension

    1. (a)

      ACE Inhibitors: Benazepril Hydrochloride, Captopril, Enalapril Maleate, Enalaprilat, Enalaprilat Dihydrate, Fosinopril Sodium, Lisinopril, Moexipril Hydrochloride, Perindopril Erbumine, Quinapril Hydrochloride, Ramipril, Trandolapril

    2. (b)

      Thiazide diuretics: Bendroflumethiazide, Benzthiazide, Chlorothiazide, Chlorothiazide Sodium, Chlorthalidone, Cyclothiazide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Hydroflumethiazide, Indapamide, Methyclothiazide, Metolazone, Polythiazide, Quinethazone, Trichlormethiazide

    3. (c)

      Angiotensin receptor blocker: Candesartan, Cilexetil, Eprosartan Mesylate, Irbesartan, Losartan Potassium, Olmesartan Medoxomil, Telmisartan, Valsartan

    4. (d)

      Beta-blockers: Acebutolol Hydrochloride, Atenolol, Betaxolol Hydrochloride, Bisoprolol Fumarate, Carteolol Hydrochloride, Esmolol Hydrochloride, Metoprolol Succinate, Metoprolol Tartrate, Nadolol, Penbutolol Sulfate, Pindolol, Propranolol Hydrochloride, Sotalol Hydrochloride, Timolol Maleate

    5. (e)

      Calcium channel blockers:

      • Nondihydropyridines: Diltiazem Hydrochloride, Diltiazem Malate, Mibefradil Di-Hydrochloride, Verapamil Hydrochloride

      • Dihydropyridines: Amlodipine Besylate, Bepridil Hydrochloride, Felodipine, Isradipine, Nicardipine Hydrochloride, Nifedipine, Nimodipine, Nisoldipine

    6. (f)

      Potassium-Sparing Agents: Amiloride Hydrochloride, Spironolactone, Triamterene

    7. (g)

      Central Alpha-Antagonists: Clonidine Hydrochloride, Guanabenz Acetate, Guanfacine Hydrochloride, Methyldopa, Methyldopate Hydrochloride, Phenoxybenzamine Hydrochloride, Phentolamine Hydrochloride, Tolazoline Hydrochloride

    8. (h)

      Alpha Blockers: Doxazosin Mesylate, Prazosin Hydrochloride, Terazosin Hydrochloride

    9. (i)

      Combination Drugs

      • Beta Blockers And Diuretics

        • Bendroflumethiazide/Nadolol

        • Chlorthalidone/Atenolol

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Bisoprolol Fumarate

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Labetalol Hydrochloride

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Metoprolol Tartrate

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Propranolol

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Propranolol Hydrochloride

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Timolol

      • ACE Inhibitors And Diuretics

        • Benazepril Hydrochloride/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Enalapril Maleate/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Fosinopril Sodium/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Moexipril Hydrochloride/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Quinapril Hydrochloride/Hydrochlorothiazide

      • Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists And Diuretics

        • Candesartan Cilexetil/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Telmisartan/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide

      • Calcium Antagonists And ACE Inhibitors

        • Benazepril Hydrochloride/Amlodipine Besylate

        • Enalapril Maleate/Diltazem Maleate

        • Enalapril Maleate/Felodipine

        • Trandolapril/Verapamil Hydrochloride

      • Other Combinations

        • Bendroflumethiazide/Potassium Chloride

        • Cryptenamine/Methylclothiazide

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Spironolactone

        • Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Triamterene

        • Hydrochlorothiazide/Amiloride Hydrochloride

        • Clonidine Hydrochloride/Chlorthalidone

        • Deserpidine/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Deserpidine/Methyclothiazide

        • Guanethidine Sulfate/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Methyldopa/Chlorothiazide

        • Methyldopa/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Reserpine/Benzthiazide

        • Reserpine/Chlorothiazide

        • Reserpine/Chlorthalidone

        • Reserpine/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Reserpine/Hydroflumethiazide

        • Reserpine/Methyclothiazide

        • Reserpine/Polythiazide

        • Reserpine/Quinethazone

        • Reserpine/Trichlormethiazide

        • Hydralazine Hydrochloride/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Hydralazine Hydrochloride/Reserpine

        • Hydralazine Hydrochloride/Reserpine/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Hydralaz/Reserpine/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Hydralazine Hydrochloride/Hydrochlorothiazide

        • Prazosin Hydrochloride/Polythiazide

        • Methylclothiazide/Pargyline

        • Rauwolfia Serpentina/Bendroflumethiazide

        • Rauwolfia/Bendroflumethiazide/Potassium

      • Miscellaneous

        • Diazoxide

        • Metyrosine

        • Reserpine/Mannitol Hexanitrate

        • Acetazolamide

  8. (8)

    Depression

    1. a)

      SSRIs: citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline

    2. b)

      Others: buproprion, duloxetine, mirtazapine, venlafaxine

  9. (9)

    Coronary Artery Disease

    1. (a)

      Ace inhibitors: Benazepril Hydrochloride, Captopril, Enalapril Maleate, Enalaprilat, Enalaprilat Dihydrate, Fosinopril Sodium, Lisinopril, Moexipril Hydrochloride, Perindopril Erbumine, Quinapril Hydrochloride, Ramipril, Trandolapril

    2. (b)

      Angiotensin receptor blocker: Candesartan, Cilexetil, Eprosartan Mesylate, Irbesartan, Losartan Potassium, Olmesartan Medoxomil, Telmisartan, Valsartan

    3. c)

      Beta-blockers: Acebutolol Hydrochloride, Atenolol, Betaxolol Hydrochloride, Bisoprolol Fumarate, Carteolol Hydrochloride, Esmolol Hydrochloride, Metoprolol Succinate, Metoprolol Tartrate, Nadolol, Penbutolol Sulfate, Pindolol, Propranolol Hydrochloride, Sotalol Hydrochloride, Timolol Maleate

    4. d)

      statins: atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, fluvastatin, vytorin

    5. e)

      anti-platelets: clopidogrel, aspirin, coumadin

Appendix 2: ICD-9 Diagnostic codes used to identify chronic diseases

  1. (1)

    Atrial Fibrillation (ICD-9 codes: 427.31)

  2. (2)

    Diabetes (ICD-9 codes: 250.0x–250.9x)

  3. (3)

    Asthma/COPD (ICD-9 codes: 494.xx, 496.xx)

  4. (4)

    Hypercholesterolemia/Hyperlipidemia (ICD-9 codes: 272.0, 272.2)

  5. (5)

    CHF (congestive heart failure) (ICD-9 codes: 428.xx)

  6. (6)

    Osteoporosis (ICD-9 codes: 733.0)

  7. (7)

    Hypertension (ICD-9 codes: 401.xx, 402.xx, 403.xx, 404.xx, 405.xx)

  8. (8)

    Depression (ICD-9 codes: 296.2x, 296.3x, 300.4x, 309.0x, 309.1x, or 311.xx)

  9. (9)

    Coronary Artery Disease (ICD-9 codes: 414.0x)

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Shrank, W.H., Gleason, P.P., Canning, C. et al. Can Improved Prescription Medication Labeling Influence Adherence to Chronic Medications? An Evaluation of the Target Pharmacy Label. J GEN INTERN MED 24, 570–578 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-009-0924-x

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