Troyen A. Brennan, MD, JD

The release of the ATP-4 guidelines meaningfully changes the way the authors manage cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. The broad footprint of retail pharmacies, with their ability to assess risk, prescribe, and manage adherence, allow them to be unique partners in cholesterol management and cardiovascular disease prevention.

Quality of care for 3 conditions, based on widely accepted objective measures, was superior in MinuteClinics compared with ambulatory care facilities or emergency departments.

Despite increasing availability of healthcare information technology, a literature review showed few clinical data on medication adherence interventions using this technology.

In this review of randomized controlled trials designed to improve adherence to cardiovascular medications, electronic interventions and in-person, pharmacy-based interventions showed the highest success rates.