Evaluation of the use of calendar blister packaging on patient compliance with STD syndromic treatment regimens

Background: Good compliance with antibiotic therapy: is critical for succes sful management of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Goal of This Study: To evaluate the use of user-friendly drug packaging as a means of improving patient compliance with STD therapy and the acceptabil ity of the packaging. Study Design: Compliance of patients with STDs with treatment regimens for three different STD syndromes, using antibiotics packed in standard medicin e packaging (SP), was compared to that of patients using calendar blister p ackaged drugs. Compliance was measured by counting the remaining pills at t wo return visits. Questionnaires were used to evaluate acceptability of the packs. Results: Compliance was significantly better among patients using the calen dar blister packs than among those using standard packs, irrespective of do sing frequency. The degree of poor compliance increased with increasing dos ing frequency. There was a high level of satisfaction with the blister pack among patients and health care workers. Conclusion: Compliance can be improved by the introduction of user-friendly drug packaging, especially for more complex dosing regimens.