AUSTRALIAN research into medication delivery and dispensing preferences in patients using antihypertensive medications has revealed that despite the potential convenience of longer dispensing periods, most were happy with shorter periods.
"The survey shows strong consumer preferences for the status quo overall - picking up antihypertensives every one to two months from a pharmacy is highly acceptable, and consumers cited various benefits from going to the pharmacy regularly," lead author Assoc Prof Carissa Bonner of the University of Sydney told Pharmacy Daily.
Reasons for preferring shorter dispensing periods (30 or 60 days) included concerns about medicine quality, expiry, storage and changes in dose.
However, when the cost implications of the different options were provided, most preferred longer dispensing periods with associated cost savings.
They also found that patients overwhelmingly preferred to visit a pharmacy to get their medicine rather than have it delivered, citing reasons including the opportunity for social interaction, exercise and medical advice.
"We identified different groups of consumers - some found pharmacy pick-up to be convenient and reassuring, and did not trust delivery, while others said they would prefer the convenience of delivery with longer dispensing durations, especially when it saves on costs," Assoc Prof Bonner explained.
The team from the University of Sydney and UNSW Sydney surveyed 2,000 adults who take antihypertensive medicines, asking questions around 30-, 60-, 90- and 120-day dispensing intervals, as well as postal delivery versus in-person collection.
The aim of the research was to obtain data that could help inform dispensing policy in the context of pushback against longer dispensing periods.
The team noted that in 2022, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended 60- or 90-day dispensing periods for hypertension medications, which was supported by the Australian Hypertension Taskforce.
The World Health Organization recommends 90-day dispensing periods to help improve medication adherence and long-term blood pressure control.
Assoc Prof Bonner said that further analyses are underway to investigate the drivers of these different preferences, and the results will inform a large trial to test whether longer dispensing can improve medication adherence.
The research is available HERE. KB
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