Skip to main content

Medicine Adherence and You

 Today, I want to talk about medication adherence, which is a huge challenge for healthcare providers. As a pharmacist for many years, I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be to get patients to take their routine prescription medications correctly.

Hey everyone, welcome back to my Island Farmacy Blog. 

One of the biggest hurdles I faced over the years was how to get patients to take their medications as prescribed. Even with all the steps in place, like calling doctors for prescription refills, billing prescriptions and getting them covered by insurance companies, dispensing medications in compliance packaging, billing credit cards for co-pays, and delivering medications to their doorsteps, I could not guarantee patients would remain adherent and compliant.


Studies show that between 50-60% of patients either take their medications improperly or not at all, which usually results in unnecessary visits to the emergency room, prolonged hospital stays, and maybe even fatalities. Adherence to medication regimes is vital for achieving the desired therapeutic outcomes and preventing adverse effects.


To gain a better understanding of medication adherence, we must first define it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that medication adherence, or taking medications correctly, is generally defined as the extent to which patients take medication as prescribed by their doctors. This involves factors such as getting prescriptions filled, remembering to take medication on time, and understanding the directions.


According to the American Medical Association, a patient is said to be adherent if they correctly take 80% of their prescriptions. Patients are considered non-adherent if they take less than 80% of the recommended medication(s). Additionally, prescriptions for Healthy America say medication adherence occurs when a patient takes their medications according to the prescribed dosage, time, frequency, and direction.


Health-related non-adherence costs the US economy $500 billion yearly, or 16% of total health expenditures. The particular cause of 125,000 annual fatalities and 10% of hospital admissions is pharmaceutical non-adherence.


As pharmacists, we meet patients with chronic diseases 10 times more frequently than other healthcare providers, giving us the opportunity to support and train patients on adherence more regularly. In 2022, total prescription dispensing revenues of retail, long-term care, mail, and specialty pharmacies totalled $550 billion (excluding COVID-19 vaccinations).


So, as a Pharmacist  vlogger, my message to you is to always take your medication as prescribed  It might seem like a small thing, but it can have a huge impact on your health and well-being. And, as always, make sure to consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about your medications. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you all in the next blog!


References 

Osterberg L, Blaschke T. Adherence to medication. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(5):487-497. doi:10.1056/NEJMra050100


US Food and Drug Administration. Medication Adherence: FDA Perspectives. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/media/81048/download


American Medical Association. Improving Prescription Medication Adherence. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-05/improving-prescription-medication-adherence-brief.pdf


National Community Pharmacists Association. Medication Adherence in America: A National Report Card. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://www.ncpanet.org/advocacy/pbm-reform/toolkit/medication-adherence-in-america-a-national-report-card


Viswanathan M, Golin CE, Jones CD, et al. Interventions to Improve Adherence to Self-administered Medications for Chronic Diseases in the United States: A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med. 2012;157(11):785-795. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-157-11-201212040-00538

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Learning at Lunch Case Study: Acute Viral Gastroenteritis

 Learning at Lunch Case Study: Acute Viral Gastroenteritis Patient Profile: Mr. Johnson, a 45-year-old male, presents to the emergency department with complaints of sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea. He reports experiencing abdominal cramps and a low-grade fever. His symptoms began approximately 12 hours ago, and he has had multiple episodes of watery diarrhea since then. He denies any recent travel or exposure to sick individuals. Assessment and Diagnosis: Upon examination, Mr. Johnson appears moderately dehydrated, with dry mucous membranes and decreased skin turgor. His vital signs are stable, except for a slightly elevated temperature of 38.3°C (101°F). Abdominal examination reveals diffuse tenderness, but no signs of peritoneal irritation. Based on the clinical presentation and history, a provisional diagnosis of acute viral gastroenteritis is suspected. Question: What would you do next for Mr. Johnson?  What tests would you order?  What management plan would you...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sleep Disorders in Mauritius and how to combat them.

Sleep is a vital biological function for the human body, playing a crucial role in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, sleep disorders are increasingly common, with at least 45% of the world's population being affected by some form of sleep problem. A study showed that the prevalence of poor sleep in young people in Mauritius was 30.7% with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) being the most prevalent disorder globally. OSA is characterised by the intermittent relaxation of throat muscles during sleep, leading to blocked airways and disrupted breathing. It affects over one billion people worldwide, with some countries reporting a prevalence exceeding 50%. Estimates suggest that nearly 1 billion adults aged 30–69 years worldwide could have obstructive sleep apnoea, and the number of people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea, for which treatment is generally recommended, is estimated to be almost 425 million Apart from OSA, other common sleep diso...
Post a Comment
Read more

Decoding Urine: What Different Colors, Smells, and Frequencies Reveal About Our Health

Urine, often overlooked as a diagnostic tool, can provide valuable insights into our health. By paying attention to the color, smell, and frequency of urine, pharmacists can gain important clues about their patients' well-being. In this "Learning at Lunch" blog post, we will explore what different colors, smells, and frequencies of urine can tell us about our health. Color: The color of urine can vary from pale yellow to dark amber. Here's what different colors may indicate: Clear or Pale Yellow: Well-hydrated and normal. Dark Yellow: Mild dehydration or certain medications. Amber or Orange: Severe dehydration or liver conditions. Pink or Red: Presence of blood, possibly indicating urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or other underlying conditions. Brown: Liver or kidney disorders, certain medications, or excessive exercise. Smell: The smell of urine can also provide insights into our health. Here are some common smells and their possible meanings: Ammonia-like: ...
Post a Comment
Read more