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Patients’ knowledge and awareness about patient support programs: a cross-sectional study on Lebanese adults with chronic diseases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2021

Hanine Abbas ,
Layal Yehya ,
Mazen Kurdi  and
Rita Karam Open the ORCID record for Rita Karam [Opens in a new window]
Hanine Abbas
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Section 1, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
Layal Yehya
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Section 1, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
Mazen Kurdi
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Section 1, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
Rita Karam*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Section 1, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon Quality Assurance of Pharmaceutical Products Department, Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon
*
Author for correspondence: Rita Karam, E-mail: ritakmouawad@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

Patient Support Programs (PSPs) have become a trend among pharmaceutical companies and a standard service offering to patients. The objective of the present study is to describe the status of PSPs in Lebanon and to assess the extent of knowledge and awareness among Lebanese patients about the PSPs.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and July 2017. A convenient sample of patients was randomly selected from outpatient clinics at four hospitals within the Greater Beirut Area. A questionnaire was used to address the study objective. Bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 23.

Results

Out of 385 patients who participated in the study, 45.45 percent were aged between 46 and 66 years. None of them indicated that they were enrolled in a PSP, and only 13 percent of the respondents were aware of the existence of such a program. In terms of adherence habits, 55.6 percent of the patients self-reported that they do not skip any dose of their medication and consume their medication as prescribed by their healthcare providers. The main reason for nonadherence reported by the majority of nonadherent participants 144 (84.2%) was simple forgetfulness.

Conclusions

There is a severe lack of awareness of PSPs in Lebanon. Given the important role that PSPs play in creating value for patients—in terms of healthcare follow-up practices, improved adherence habits, and cost savings—there should be a more substantial effort by pharmaceutical companies to expand and promote their PSPs in the Lebanese market.

Keywords

Patient support programsLebanonAwarenessPharmaceutical companiesAdherence
Type
Assessment
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 37 , Issue 1 , 2021 , e34
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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