(NAPSI)—According to the American Medical Association (AMA), about
one in four new prescriptions is never filled, and
about half the time patients don’t take the medications they do have.
The Problem
People give eight basic reasons for not complying, the AMA adds:
1. Fear. People may be
frightened of potential side effects. They may have witnessed side effects
experienced by someone else who was taking the same or a similar medication
and believe the medication caused the problems.
2. Cost. People may ration what
they have to extend their supply.
3. Misunderstanding. People may
not understand the need for the medicine, the nature of the side effects or
the time it will take to see results. This is particularly true for those
with chronic illness, because taking a medication every day to reduce the
risk of something bad happening can be confusing. Failure to see immediate
improvement may lead to premature discontinuation.
4. Too many medications. The
greater the number of different medicines prescribed and the higher the
dosing frequency, the more likely someone is to not take some or any.
5. Lack of symptoms. People who
don’t feel any different when they start or stop their medicine might
see no reason to take it.
6. Worry. Concerns about
becoming dependent on a medication can also lead to nonadherence.
7. Depression. People suffering
from depression are less likely to take their medications as prescribed.
8. Mistrust. Some people are
suspicious of their doctor’s motives for prescribing certain
medications because of stories about pharmaceutical companies influencing
physician prescribing patterns.
Doctor’s Advice
“Fifty percent of patients struggle with understanding how and when
to take their prescription medications, and for those with complex
prescription regimens it can be even more challenging,” said Troyen Brennan, M.D., M.P.H.
A Solution
Fortunately, you can now get special assistance when it comes to compliance.To help people understand the best time of day
to take their prescribed medications for greater safety and efficacy, the new
ScriptPath Prescription Schedule was created for
CVS Pharmacy customers who manage multiple prescription medications. It features
all of a patient’s current CVS Pharmacy prescription information in one
place—including which medications the patient takes, when he or she
should take them, and how much of each medication should be taken in each
dose. Using easy-to-understand icons, the new schedule was designed to
improve understanding and enhance safety by simplifying how people take
medications and how caregivers give them.
What The Schedule Shows
Available in English and Spanish at all of CVS Pharmacy’s more than
9,700 locations, the schedule is generated by a robust scientific system that
automatically reviews all of a patient’s current CVS Pharmacy
prescription information and prescriber’s
instructions, and then, using clinical data, provides a schedule of the most
effective times of day to take the medications. People who take more than
five medications a day can also have a special consultation with the
pharmacist to be sure they understand what to do.
Information highlighted on the new schedule includes:
• Personalized prescription information for each patient, including
how much medication to take and when to take it
• Medications separated into sections for Routine, As Needed and
Other
• Clear refill instructions
• A notes section for further personalization and to facilitate
face-to-face pharmacist counseling.
Learn More
For further facts on the ScriptPath prescription
management system, including the Prescription Schedule, visit www.cvs.com/prescriptionschedule.
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)