Pharmacists and Pediatric Medication Adherence: Bridging the Gap

Pediatric medication nonadherence is a major problem in the United States health care system. Age of the child, lack of understanding about the disease or treatment, culture, socioeconomic status, family structure, schedule of medications, and taste can all contribute to this problem. Strategies that target interventions to the individual patient and family can be most effective. Pharmacists are at the forefront of patient care and can help children become more adherent to their medications through counseling and building a trusting relationship with the family. This article highlights some common problems to adherence and some solutions to increase adherence.