In this issue: Medication management
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A doctor writes a prescription. He or she dictates how much medication should be taken, how often and for how long. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates these instructions are only followed 50 percent of the time—in fact, 20 to 30 percent of prescriptions are never even filled. In addition to the adverse effects non-adherence has on patients—including a decline in wellness, potential medical complications and reduced outcomes—it is estimated this problem costs our healthcare system a whopping $290 billion per year! For a list of simple medication-management tips you can share with your patients to promote adherence, keep reading. Improve medication adherence More than half of Americans take at least two prescription medications a day, and 20 percent take five or more. Help them take their meds consistently and wisely with these simple tips:
We all know a medication is only good if it is filled and properly taken. Help your patients become adherent and healthy—better outcomes await! “Medication Adherence.” cdc.org. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Mar. 2013. Web. Retrieved 14 Mar. 2015. “Medication Adherence in America.” ncpanet.org. National Community Pharmacists Association, 2013. Web. Retrieved 14 Mar. 2015. “Prescription Drugs: 7 Out Of 10 Americans Take At Least One, Study Finds.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 June 2013. Web. Retrieved 14 Mar. 2015. Gottlieb, Harold. “Medication Nonadherence: Finding Solutions to a Costly Medical Problem.” Medscape Multispecialty. N.p., n.d. Web. Retrieved 14 Mar. 2015. “What Is Shared Decision Making?” Informed Medical Decisions Foundation. Healthwise Incorporated, n.d. Web. Retrieved 16 Mar. 2015. “5 Ways to Save Money on Your Medications.” National Council on Aging. N.p., 08 Feb. 2013. Web. Retrieved 16 Mar. 2015. |
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