MEDICATION COMPLIANCE
It is a good thing
By Greg Armstrong
Len’s Drug Pharmacist
Compliant. Compliance.
Words we use in positive situations. When
the opposite is true, then we have a negative
situation.
At franchises such as Subway, they must
be in compliance with all the franchise rules
of the Subway corporation. This keeps them
in a positive and successful situation while
serving food.
We often refer to our kids as being compli-
ant or noncompliant. We have some of each,
but we call the noncompliant strong-willed
and we call the compliant, Dr Tilli.
Compliance in medication therapy is also
a positive situation. When people become
noncompliant with medication, it can lead to
increased illness and death.
It is estimated that noncompliance incurs
costs of approximately $100 billion annual-
ly. In fact, increasing compliance of existing
medication therapy may have a greater effect
on health than changing or improving a spe-
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Just over 50 percent of all patients taking
medication are not compliant with the way
in which it was prescribed. That is a bunch
of noncompliance. Of all medication related
hospitalizations, at least one-third, and up
to two-thirds, are related to poor medication
compliance.
On one hand, not all of the blame can
land on the patient alone. The entire health
care system can have positive and negative
impacts on medication compliance. The sys-
tem often has too many moving parts to make
consistent medication compliance feasible.
Even with all components working with the
patient’s best interest, there can be break-
downs.
The Center for Drug and Health Informa-
tion Services, or HUCOP, offers these 10 tips
for increased medication compliance.
1. Integrate the medication schedule into
your daily life.
Fit the medication into your life instead of
structuring your life around your medication.
2. Count out your doses in advance.
Use a pill box to prepare your medication
a week or even two weeks in advance. Note,
some medications need to be refrigerated. If that
is the case, keep the pill boxes in the refrigerator
or a cool place.
3. Keep a checklist.
Make a daily checklist of the medication
will be sure to see them: the refrigerator, next to
the TV, and the bathroom mirror.
Your pharmacy team at Len’s Drug is com-
mitted to helping in whatever way we can to in-
crease medication compliance. We have several
programs that can help you and your loved ones
increase their compliance and thus decrease
their potential adverse effects from noncompli-
ance.
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Contributed photo strives to synchronize all the patients chronic
Greg Armstrong, Len’s Drug
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pharmacist.
same time each month, or every three months
for plans that allow a 90 day supply.
you have to take and the times you should take
One factor that often adds to medication
them. Check off each dose after it is taken. This noncompliance is an excessive number of trips
will help to avoid missed or double doses.
to the pharmacy. While we love seeing our pa-
4. Use a beeping alarm.
tients, we do not want to be a stumbling block to
Use a beeping watch or timer to remind you their medication compliance.
when a dose is due.
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5. Put dosage times into your daily plan- to seven days ahead of time to make sure there
ner.
have not been any changes in their medication
Just like an appointment, add your medica- list. We contact the doctor to obtain needed re-
tion doses into your daily planner to remind you ¿OOVDQGZHPDNHVXUHZHKDYHWKHQHFHVVDU\
when a dose is due.
quantity of medication, which all leads to one
. Plan ahead for traveling re¿lls and trip to the pharmacy and increased medication
weekends.
compliance.
Pack your medications and keep them with
Salad Packs: No, I am not back on Subway
you when traveling. Keep in mind that your again; these salad packs are named because we
schedule may change while on vacation and are placing all the patient’s medications for a
you will need to adjust how you take your med- particular dosing time in one blister. This makes
LFDWLRQ$OVRSODQDKHDGIRU\RXUUH¿OOV'RQ¶W it easier to ensure that all medications for each
wait until you are out to call your pharmacy to dosing time are administered.
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Here is an example: Bugs B. Bunny takes
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six different medications. Three, he takes once a
7. Arrange for privacy.
day; two he takes twice a day; and one, he takes
If you want to hide the fact you take med- four times a day.
ication, arrange for some private time at work
With the salad pack we would load the
when you can take your medication. Scout out morning blister with all six medications, the
a place such as a bathroom where you can take noon dose with one medication, the evening
your medication in private.
slot with three medications and the bedtime
8. Keep a diary.
slot with one medication. This not only sim-
Write down successes as well as failures to SOL¿HVWDNLQJWKHPHGLFDWLRQVEXWLWLPPHGL-
remind you what has worked and what has not. DWHO\LGHQWL¿HVDQ\PLVVHGGRVHVRUQRQFRP-
Record missed doses to identify times or doses pliance.
that need to be worked on to improve medica-
Even with some effective ways to in-
tion compliance.
crease medication compliance, we can nev-
9. Establish and use a support network.
er underestimate the effectiveness of con-
Find friends or family that can assist you in tacting the pharmacy a minimum of three
taking your medication. Local “buddy lines” days prior to needing your refill. With the
can help with reminders and serve as a partner moving parts of the health care system, this
in therapy. Realizing others are struggling as extra time can be very necessary to prevent
you are can help with feelings of isolation. De- a break in therapy.
velop a working relationship with your health-
Most importantly, the pharmacy team
care team (doctor, pharmacist and caregiver).
at Len’s Drug is always available to answer
10. Leave yourself notes and reminders.
your questions and assist you with improving
Leave notes around the house where you your medication compliance.
FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE 2016 || 19