Question

(1) Briefly describe one method for measuring adherence in a clinical trial involving a pharmaceutical intervention with a placebo control. Assume the pharmaceutical comes as capsules and the placebo is an identical looking/tasting/smelling capsule. Assume the pharmaceutical is not available over-the-counter (you cannot buy it in a store; you must have a prescription).

(2) Now assume the pharmaceutical is available over-the-counter (you can buy it in a store). Does this complicate the interpretation of your adherence measure, and, if it does, how?

Answer 1

1.Direct measures of adherence include drug assays of blood or urine,use of drug makers with the target medication,and direct observation of the patient receiving the medication.
-Indirect measures of adherence imply that the medication has been used by patient,test measures includes various forms of self reporting by patient,medication measurement(pill count),use of electronic monitoring devices and review of prescription records and cliams.

2.Yes,it complicates the interpretation of adherence measurement ,patient may get addict to the specific medication and the measurements may differ from the study trial because of free availability of medication.