Non-compliance to medication in psychiatric patients.

Abstract

Objective: To find out the frequency and reason for non-compliance to medication in a sample of psychiatric outpatients. Design: It’s a descriptive and cross sectional observation. Setting: The study was conducted in Government Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases, Lahore. Methods: A survey of outpatients was conducted, using a questionnaire designed for this purpose. Trained and experienced psychiatrists administered the questionnaire. The psychiatrists afterwards categorized the causes of discontinuation of medication. Results: Total patients who were screened were 343, and among them 56 (16.32%) had stopped their medication. The commonest cause for discontinuation was inability to afford medication. Conclusion: Steady supply of medication to patients can improve the outcome of their illness.