Campaign highlights "poor" medication adherence
Omnicell has launched a campaign to highlight the waste caused by prescription or medication non-adherence
The Let’s Take Care of It campaign coincides with this week’s National Medication Adherence Week (16-23 October).
The results of a recent national opinion poll (NOP) on patient attitudes to medication and adherence show that 22% of adults have missed a round of medication, 12% have not finished a course of medication and 36% of adults agree that printing the cost of the medication to the NHS on the packaging would make them more likely to take their prescribed medication.
Omnicell’s research explored the reasons why people do not adhere to their medication. Of those that have not taken their medication as prescribed:
- Over Two thirds (65%) say that it is because ‘they forgot’
- At least a quarter (25%) claim that the side effects made them feel ill
- 20% say they did not feel ill and therefore did not think they needed the medication
Omnicell said that medication non-adherence can lead to worsening of diseases and illnesses and in many instances can causes avoidable repeat visits to GP surgeries and hospitals.
Paul O’Hanlon, managing director of UK and Ireland at Omnicell said: “If you look at all the major chronic illnesses every one of them needs good medication adherence in order to keep them under control.
“Take diabetes as an example, the eventual result of poor compliance and not controlling blood sugar levels effectively can lead to poor blood circulation and potentially, amputation of limbs.
“There are currently five million patients in the UK that take four or more medications, many of who require further support to take their medication correctly – above and beyond existing adherence systems.
“None of the reasons why patients are failing to adhere to medication are insurmountable.
“Better patient education, targeted use of support services by pharmacists and utilising modern technology to aid compliance would go a long way to stemming the flow of resources down the toilet.”