Medication non-compliance

The basic tenet of non-compliance is the failure to take medication according to prescribed directions. But it’s more than non-adherence to directions, non-compliance is also indicative of the misuse of medication. Here are five common causes of non-compliance and how healthcare professionals can help. Side Effects. In a “perfect drug” scenario, medications would zero in on their intended target systems generating only desired, therapeutic effects, then metabolize and leave the body. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple, as medications produce unintended [...]

Let’s start with an obvious, irrefutable certainty: Prescribed medications that routinely remain in the vial or bottle won’t help anyone. Millions of people fail to take their medications correctly, and it’s a serious problem. Worse, some quit taking their medications altogether, without giving any consideration to discussing this decision with their prescribers or other health care providers. Consider these findings on medication non compliance from the nonprofit National Council on Patient Information and Education: Only 50 percent of patients with [...]