Pharmaceutical services as a tool to improve outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases

Int J Cardiol. 2016 Nov 1:222:238-241. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.07.189. Epub 2016 Jul 29.

Abstract

Despite the presence of effective and safe pharmacotherapy, and availability of multidimensional non-pharmacological treatment, the overall rate of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes remains still unsatisfactory. The clinical pharmacy activities and pharmaceutical care available in the community pharmacy settings have a significant impact on outcomes in cardiovascular patients, e.g. adherence, the level of blood pressure, total cholesterol or patients' health literacy. Pharmaceutical care in patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases remains beneficial both to the patients and the entire health care system. However, the prediction of results of pharmacists' interventions is particularly difficult and random. Many factors contribute to outcomes of community pharmacy services, e.g. time spent with the patients or quality of communication between patients and healthcare professionals. The most important issue in delivering effective pharmaceutical care is to develop an evidence-based model. Globally, the development of interprofessional collaboration between physicians and pharmacists, and preparing more sophisticated pharmacoeconomics analyses in the scope of pharmaceutical care are the next step in the improvement of advanced pharmaceutical services. Further research, particularly based on real data on this highly interesting topic is needed and recommended.

Keywords: Adherence; Outcome assessment; Pharmaceutical care.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / therapy*
  • Community Pharmacy Services / trends*
  • Humans
  • Pharmacists / trends*
  • Professional Role*
  • Treatment Outcome