Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics: Pharmacist-Technician Models for Adherence Monitoring and Relapse Prevention
Main Article Content
Abstract
Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics have emerged as a valuable treatment option for patients with severe mental illnesses, offering improved medication adherence and reduced risk of relapse compared to oral antipsychotics. However, the effective use of LAI antipsychotics requires close monitoring of adherence and proactive strategies for relapse prevention. This systematic review aims to explore the role of pharmacist-technician models in supporting adherence monitoring and relapse prevention for patients receiving LAI antipsychotics. A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL, was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2023. The search strategy employed a combination of keywords related to LAI antipsychotics, pharmacists, technicians, adherence monitoring, and relapse prevention. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The findings highlight the critical roles of pharmacists and technicians in various aspects of LAI antipsychotic management, such as medication education, injection administration, adherence monitoring, and relapse prevention. Key factors influencing the effectiveness of pharmacist-technician models include specialized training, interprofessional collaboration, patient engagement, and technology integration. The review also identifies challenges and barriers to implementing pharmacist-technician models, such as limited resources, inadequate reimbursement, and regulatory constraints. The findings of this review have significant implications for mental health practice, policy, and research, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies to optimize the use of LAI antipsychotics and improve outcomes for patients with severe mental illnesses.