MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a prospective, controlled trial conducted at a community pharmacy in Istanbul, between January and July 2010, among patients who had been prescribed antibiotics. After filling out an initial questionnaire, patients were educated about their antibiotic therapy either in a simple (control group) or more comprehensive way (study group). A second questionnaire, conducted the day after antibiotic therapy ended, focused on how patients had actually used their antibiotics. and based on patients’ self reports Adherence was assessed using both a tablet count and a self-report method to explore whether the timing of the doses was correct.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Patients in the study group demonstrated a non-significantly better adherence to therapy than those in the control group. There was no significant difference between the patiens informed and uninformed by the physician in terms of the rates of information request from pharmacist. However, patients who were prescribed a once daily dose regimen for a short duration were found more adherent to antibacterial therapy in terms both of dose-taking (self-administration) and dose-timing (p < 0.05). In addition, more mature patients (>30 year-old) were found more adherent than younger people (p < 0.05). The potential role of the pharmacist in providing patient education was underscored Keywords : Adherence, antibacterial agents, patient education, questionnaire, clinical pharmacists