Pearl of the Week: Medication Adherence

Data shows that patients don't take their medicine as prescribed about half the time. Barriers to adherence can include a lack of understanding around the medical diagnosis, the need for treatment, or an inability to obtain medication due to cost, scarcity, or time conflicts. Develop a process for routinely asking about medication adherence and create a shame- and blame-free environment to discuss medications with the patient. Every dollar spent improving adherence saves seven dollars in total health care costs.

LEARN MORE:

• Toolkits: Medication Adherence and Annual Prescription Renewal
• Success Story: Four Interventions Stemmed the Tide of Refill Requests
• Other Resources: Identify why the patient is not taking their medicine

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