Authors (including presenting author) :
Lin HS(1), Chu MH(2), Chan HL(2), Chow CH(1), Chan WYM(1), Mak CK(1), Mak LKK(1)(2), Lai KPL(3), Chan PF(3)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Pharmacy, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, (2)Department of Pharmacy, United Christian Hospital, (3)Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Kowloon East Cluster (KEC)
Keyword 1: :
Pharmacist clinic
Keyword 2: :
Medication management
Keyword 3: :
Drug compliance
Keyword 4: :
Patient education
Keyword 5: :
Primary care
Introduction :
Medication compliance is crucial for chronic disease management, however, reports suggested that about 35% of primary care patients were non-adherent. Pharmaceutical care service by pharmacists could help optimize patient medication management and reduce the risk of complications due to non-adherence.
Objectives :
1. To set up a pharmacist-led Medication Management and Compliance Clinic (MMCC) aimed at optimizing medication management of chronic patients and empowering them to take an active role in managing their own health in KEC Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs). 2. To evaluate the impact of the MMCC on patient pharmaceutical care, and overall patient satisfaction with the service.
Methodology :
A pharmacist-led MMCC was established in four KEC FMCs in July 2025. Patients with chronic diseases being followed up in all KEC FMCs and with polypharmacy, suspected non-compliance, inhaler technique problems, recent regimen changes, or those on oral anticoagulants could be referred to the MMCC for pharmacist consultation. Patients attending the MMCC would receive comprehensive medication reviews, drug knowledge and adherence assessment, and drug education. Information leaflets and medication aids such as pillboxes and spacers would be provided. On-site family physician consultation would be arranged if significant drug-related problems (DRPs) were identified. DRPs and patient discharge outcomes from July to December 2025 were evaluated. A patient satisfaction survey was conducted between October and December 2025.
Result & Outcome :
1718 patients attended the MMCC, with a total of 2058 attendances within the review period. Majority (97%) of patients had hypertension, diabetes and/or hyperlipidemia. 1024 DRPs were identified, including non-adherence (876), poor inhaler technique (121), adverse drug reactions (10) and miscellaneous (17). Twenty-five cases were referred to family physicians due to significant DRPs. Among the 1535 cases discharged, 1356 (88%) achieved satisfactory outcomes, including 1301 with enhanced regimen understanding and 1008 with improved compliance. Among the 87 cases referred due to inhaler technique issues, 54 (62%) demonstrated better inhaler technique within a 6-month period. 711 patients completed the satisfaction survey; over 96% agreed or strongly agreed that the service had improved their medication knowledge and raised their confidence in medication management. Over 98% were satisfied with the overall medication management service. The study demonstrated that pharmacist-led MMCC in FMCs was effective in fostering patient engagement and improving adherence, leading to better health outcomes.
