SUMMARY

Lack of adherence -- the combined effect of compliance and persistence -- is a big problem for the pharmaceutical industry. James Chase, editor-in-chief of MM&M, once wrote "To say that tackling patient compliance and persistence poses a challenge to the pharmaceutical industry is like calling Tiger Woods a competent golfer or describing Katrina as a particularly bad storm. It is a gross understatement."

This article reviews presentations made at the recent eyeforpharma Patient Adherence and Persistence Summit including a presentation by David Baker, VP & General Manager of Shire's ADHD Business Unit, who presented on "Best Practices for Fostering Adherence." He used the ADHD market as a case study.

Topics and issues covered include:

• Definitions
• Adherence in the ADHD Market
• Do Your Research
• WHO's Adherence Take Home Messages
• Shire's Solution
• Tips
• Patient Compliance: The Problem with Today's Solutions
• Reward Them -- Intermittently -- and They Shall Adhere!
• Rewards = Behavior Change
• MedSignals® Communicating Pillbox