This document outlines medication adherence, which is defined as how well patients follow their prescribed medication regimens, and identifies various factors affecting non-adherence, including socio-economic status, healthcare system issues, therapy complexity, and patient-related impairments. It emphasizes the role of pharmacists in improving adherence through education, communication, and support, as well as providing strategies to enhance pharmacist-patient relationships. References are made to relevant community pharmacy and management literature.

1. Prof. Vaishali P. Argade
Lecturer in PRES, Institute of Pharmacy, Loni
Email:vaishali.argade@pravara.in
Mobile:9158813767
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By- Ms. Argade V.P.
COMMUNITY PHARMACY and Management (20222)
Second year diploma in pharmacy

2. Learning Outcomes
After completion of this chapter, you will be able to understand:
• Definition,
• Factors influencing non- adherence,
• Strategies to overcome non-adherence
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By- Ms. Argade V.P.

3. DEFINITION
Medication adherence (taking medications correctly) is generally defined as
the extent to which patients take medication as prescribed by their doctors
OR
Medication compliance is the extent to which a patient's behavior matches the
prescriber's advice.
This involves factors such as…..
•Filling a new for the first time
•Refilling prescriptions on-time
•Starting the medication as soon as possible
•Remembering to take medication on time
•Taking the correct medication
•Understanding the directions.
By- Ms. Argade V.P. 3

4. FACTORS AFFECTING MEDICATION NON-ADHERENCE:
1. Socio-economic
Poor socioeconomic status, illiteracy, unemployment
Lack of family or social support
lack of financial resources
Busy work schedules
High cost of medication
2.Health care system related
Relationship of doctor-patient
Lack of proper communication regarding the beneficial effect of taking medication,
instructions for use and side effects
Poor medication distribution
By- Ms. Argade V.P. 4

5. 3.Therapy related
Complexity of medical regimens, duration of treatments
Lack of immediate benefit of therapy and treatment interferes with lifestyle
4. Condition related
Severity of symptoms (chronic illness requires long term drugs administration
OR few or no symptoms)
5.Patient related
Impairments such as visual, hearing and cognitive impairments and swallowing
problems
Lack of motivation, apprehension about possible adverse side effects—
Stress, anxiety
By- Ms. Argade V.P. 5

6. PHARMACISTS ROLE IN MEDICATION ADHERENCE
1.Pharmacists can improve medication adherence because they can actually
show the medication to the patient and relate any information to the medication
itself.
2.Educate patients regarding medication adherence
3.Pharmacists can impart the information that patients need to know
such as-
Name and purpose of the drug
When and how to take the medication, Possible side effects,
Precautions, Interaction with food or other drugs, Duration of therapy,
Action to take if a dose is missed etc.
4. A pharmacist can advice to prescribers on the simplification of drug
regimens and reinforcing factors which may contribute towards medication
non- adherence.
5. A pharmacists can assess the patient’s knowledge of their drug therapy and
usual medication habits
By- Ms. Argade V.P. 6

7. STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE PHARMACIST-PATIENT
RELATIONSHIP:
1.Be friendly and approachable to the patient.
2.Improve communication skills.
3.Take into account the spiritual and psychological needs of the patient.
4.Improving patient education.
5.Give clear explanation.
6.Check the patient understanding.
7.Simplify the therapeutic regimes.
8.Monitor the side effects.
9.Monitor the beneficial effects.
10.Speak the same language of patient.
11.Involvement of patient treatment discussion.
By- Ms. Argade V.P. 7

8. References
1. Community Pharmacy & Management, By Dr.V D Tambe,Brilliant
publication.
2. Community Pharmacy & Management, By Dr. Adhikrao Yadav, Nirali
Prakashan
3. Community Pharmacy & Management, By Dr. Ashok Hajare, Nirali
Prakashan
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By- Ms. Argade V.P.

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Thank you……..
By- Ms. Argade V.P.