Brown Bag Medication Review

Using AHRQ's Brown Bag Medication Tool

Abstract

Background: 

Medication nonadherence has been linked to health literacy and poor patient outcomes. The Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit addresses both issues.

Purpose: 

A brown bag medication review was implemented to identify medication nonadherence in a Midwestern clinic.

Methods: 

Adult patients were instructed to bring all prescribed and over-the-counter medication to office visits. A reviewer transcribed administration directions and the patient's verbal instruction of how the medication is taken.

Results: 

The study found 58% (n = 28) of 48 participants were nonadherent for at least 1 medication; 26% (n = 72) of all medications were nonadherent; and mental health drugs were the highest nonadherence category at 38% (n = 11). The majority of medication nonadherence was due to lack of access.

Conclusions: 

This drug utilization review was found helpful in identification of causes for medication nonadherence, assisting prescribers, and improving patient education.