Helpful Insights forPatients and Caregivers

Adherence


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Being adherent means following directions or sticking to a plan. It is as simple as refilling your prescriptions on time or following the directions on your prescription bottle. If you take your medications the way that your doctor or pharmacist explained, then you are being adherent. Medication adherence is important to achieve your goals of treatment and ensure that medications work correctly.  Not taking medications how they are prescribed could cause you to get sicker, decrease your quality of life, and increase your visits to the clinic or hospital.1,2

References

  1. Chisholm-Burns MA, Spivey CA. The 'cost' of medication nonadherence: consequences we cannot afford to accept. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2012;52(6):823-6. DOI: 10.1331/JAPhA.2012.11088. PubMed PMID: 23229971.
  2. Jimmy B, Jose J. Patient medication adherence: measures in daily practice. Oman Med J. 2011;26(3):155-9. DOI: 10.5001/omj.2011.38. PubMed PMID: 22043406; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3191684.