This trial evaluates the effect of providing primary care patients with free and convenient access to a set of essential medicines. Half of the participants will receive free and convenient access to these essential medicines, while the other half will have usual access to medicines.
Medication adherence is one important determinant of health outcomes. Approximately one half of treatments for chronic disease are not taken as directed. Cost is one of several important causes of poor adherence and it is particularly important for vulnerable people. The size of many formularies makes it difficult for clinicians to know the safest and most effective medications to prescribe. This may partially explain poor medication selection. Short lists of essential medications have improved the the quality of prescribing.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
784
Municipality of Assiginack Family Health Team
Assiginack, Ontario, Canada
Huron Shores Family Health Team
Blind River, Ontario, Canada
St Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Appropriate medicine adherence
The percentage of patients taking medicines that are both (1) appropriate based on explicit criteria and (2) taken as prescribed or adhered to for 80 % of doses
Time frame: During entire study period (24 months)
Percentage (%) of prescriptions that are appropriate.
Time frame: During entire study period (24 months)
Percentage (%) of prescriptions that are adhered to.
Time frame: During entire study period (24 months)
Hemoglobin A1c levels in patients with diabetes (adjusted for baseline)
Time frame: Assessed between months 21 and 24 inclusive
Blood pressure in hypertensive patients (adjusted for baseline)
Time frame: Assessed between months 21 and 24 inclusive
LDL cholesterol levels in patients taking a statin (adjusted for baseline
Time frame: Assessed between months 21 and 24 inclusive
Healthcare costs including medication costs
Time frame: During entire study period (24 months)
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