Stroke survivors do not seem to appreciate that they need support with their medicines, according to a study from the Medway School of Pharmacy, presented at the recent International Social Pharmacy Workshop.

Forty-seven stroke survivors (24 male), aged on average 60 years, completed an online survey. Almost three-quarters (72 per cent) had had a single stroke. The median time since their first stroke was four years, although this ranged from 0 to 17 years.

Most stroke survivors admitted low adherence (53.2 per cent) and organised their own medicines (51.0 per cent). Partners (40 per cent), GPs (36 per cent), consultants and specialists (28 per cent) or community pharmacists (21 per cent) provided medicines support.

Most stroke survivors (55 per cent) said they received the support they needed but 13 per cent put up with issues and 11 per cent didn’t know whom to ask for support. Another 11 per cent didn’t know what support was available.

“Pharmacists should be more proactive in supporting this patient group, whose poor adherence is placing them at high risk of a further stroke,” the authors comment.

^{(Int J Pharm Pract 2016; Supplement 2 38-9)}