Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication is common in people with mental illnesses forming major obstacles to long term maintenance of treatment contributing to high relapse rate. Pharmacists can play a vital role in improving adherence to medication of this population. The study aimed to examine whether patient oriented counseling session (POCS) by the pharmacist can improve the adherence to medication in people with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (BAD), and depression. A single-blind, experimental comparative study was performed at an out-patient mental health clinic at a hospital in Colombo district, Sri Lanka. 250 participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups (125 each). Pre-adherence was measured for both control and intervention groups using the modified version of Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). The intervention group underwent a POCS on medication which was supported with the Daily Activity Diary (DAD) over four months of follow up. Then both groups were reassessed for adherence with MARS. The DAD scores and pill count ratio were compared with MARS scores for the intervention group. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in adherence to medication (p < 0.05). DAD scores showed a significant positive relationship with the MARS scores (0.503). Continuous POCS at out-patient clinics using DAD as a supportive tool, can improve adherence to medication among people with Schizophrenia, BAD and Depression.

Keywords : Adherence to Medication, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Depression, Patient Oriented Counseling on Medication.