Abstract
Background: Evolution of ART treatment of HIV/AIDS presents challenges for patients and health-care professionals, and thus measures of quality of life (QOL) is imperative to maximize outcomes. Similar to other chronic illnesses, HIV patients face challenges in adherence to their medications and experience side effects affecting their overall well-being, a primary outcome of HIV/AIDS treatment.
Discussion: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are widely accepted as one of the most significant factors affecting the treatment outcomes which often pose negative impact on patients' quality of life. This becomes more evident in the treatment of chronic illnesses such as HIV & AIDS, where ADRs are often accountable for issues like non-adherence, which may not only affect the patients' confidence on ARVs but can eventually affect the whole outcome of the treatment. There is no doubt about the effectiveness of interdisciplinary approach in managing chronic illnesses and a greater role of pharmacist is regarded as one of the key factors in optimizing drug treatment and handling issues related to drug therapy. However disparities among developed and developing health care system is posing challenges in handling medication related issues in developing world.
Summary: Indeed, to use medications effectively, we need to understand more precisely the realities of toxicity and the effect of these toxicities on clinical outcomes. Pharmacists are well known for their importance and effectiveness in optimizing medication therapy which in turns impact positively on patients' quality of life. (C) 2014 Polish AIDS Research Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o. o. All rights reserved.