Background According to WHO adherence to medical treatment, both pharmacological and relative to diet or lifestyle, is the actual degree of coincidence between the individual patient behaviour and therapeutic prescriptions received by medical personnel. Failure to treat therapy is a key issue because it causes an increase in mortality and morbidity, with significant economic impact. An indicator used to assess adherence is medical possession ratio (MPR). It is defined as the number of days of dispensed therapy/number of days within the range of prescriptions. The scientific literature considers that adherent patients are those with MPR greater than or equal to 80. Purpose The aim of this study is to trace an intensity profile of adherence to ticagrelor therapy in a cohort of patients. Material and methods In order to fulfil this study, prescriptions received by the UOS Pharmacy from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016 were analysed. For each patient, sex, age, days of dispensed therapy and days within the range of prescriptions were collected and reported on a spreadsheet. Information was elaborated successively with the use of Statistica software. Results In the examined period, 87 patients received at least one package of ticagrelor and 69, which are the object of this study, two or more packages. No adverse reactions to the drug were reported during the period of time. Data analysis show a greater prevalence of males (50) than females (19), with most patients in the age range from 51 to 70 years, and an average age of 66 years. The youngest patient is 45 years' old, the oldest is 88. Data showed full adherence (MPR >90) by all females, while males with MPR >90 were 82 (61%). Non-adherent males (MPR <80) were 10%, while those with partial adherence (MPRs between 81 and 89) were 7%. Conclusion Extensive epidemiological information can help to improve and keep a high degree of adherence to drug therapies, particularly in the cardiovascular field. This is particularly important for both the 'patient's health and the economic viability of the national healthcare system, especially in the current context where resources are limited. No conflict of interest
