Study Description and Background

Medication overdoses account for substantial numbers of suicide-related behaviors. Non-adherence is a significant issue for those with psychiatric illness.

Nonadherence is defined as:

• not having prescriptions filled,
• not taking enough medication,
• taking too much medication,
• not observing the correct interval between doses and
• taking additional non-prescribed medications.
  (Bosworth et al., 2005)

Psychiatric problems linked to non-adherence include:

• greater risks of sychiatric hospitalizations,
• increased use of emergency psychiatric services,
• increased arrests,
• increased risk of violence,
• increased risk of victimization,
• poorer mental functioning,
• poorer life satisfaction, and
• increased substance use.

Blister packs facilitate adherence tracking. Patients respond more positively to simple dosing. Blister packages are a good way to simplify the regimen. Blister packaging is associated with significant improvement in treatment adherence.

Blister packages are believed to slow down the process of intentional overdose, increasing the time required may be significant enough to dissuade someone from taking a lethal overdose, or may result in patients taking fewer pills per overdose.

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