Objective:
To determine the degree of medication adherence and reasons for non-compliance and relapses in mental health in-patients.

Methodology:
An audit was conducted on 50 patients selected over three months using a patient -interview questionnaire with prior consent.

Results:
Of the 50 patients, 36% were males and 64% females. The age ranged from 21 to 65 years. 58% were Pakeha / NZ European, 38% Maori and 2 % each from Fiji and Islanders.

The medicines ranged from antidepressants, mood stabilisers, anti psychotics, anticholinergics, benzodiaepines, cardiovascular drugs for medical comorbidities.

Discussion:
The findings correlate well with other studies. Despite the fact about 85 to 90 % of the sample declared knowledge of their illness as well as the medicines, yet full compliance was only 24% while non-compliance 34% and partial compliance was 42%

Though medicines were explained and information leaflets given, their level of understanding the information conveyed was only 37% .

The primary reasons for non adherence were consistent with other studies ie side - effects, feeling better, drugs and alcohol abuse, forgetting, drugs ineffective.

Conclusions:
The audit identified the patients poor level of understanding of their illnesses and the need for medication compliance.

A good therapeutic alliance is essential for positive patient encounters and outcomes and this constitutes: (i) Agreement on goals , (ii) Agreement on tasks, (iii)Bond between client and clinician trust, respect and empathy. There is a need to address these issues by employing new strategies as interventions to improve adherence.