Medication adherence refers to the correct following of medical advice by patients, crucial for effective treatment. Factors influencing non-adherence include patient demographics, disease severity, doctor-patient interactions, and health system issues. Strategies to improve adherence encompass tailored education, involving family support, simplifying regimens, and ensuring clear communication regarding instructions and side effects.

1. Medication adherence
Ms. Archana S. Gadakh
Asst. Professor
PES MODERN COLLEGE OF PHARMACY FOR LADIES MOSHI PUNE.

2. Definition
• Medication adherence or patient adherence or compliance means correct following
of medical advice by the patient.
• WHO has defined it as “ A faithful adherence by the patient to the prescribers
instructions.
• it can also apply to other situations such as medical device use, self care, self-
directed exercises, or therapy sessions.
• Medication adherence usually refers to whether patients take their medications as
prescribed (e.g., twice daily), as well as whether they continue to take a prescribed
medication.

3. Factors influencing Non -adherence

4. 1) Patient relatedfactors:
a) Patients Age, Sex, Education
b) Education
c) Physical disability
d) Cultural Attitudes
e) Economic Factors
2) Disease related Factors:
a) Worse prognosis
b) Specific disease states
3) Doctor relatedfactors:
a) Too many drug prescribed
b) Poor interaction with patient
c) Failure in inspiring confidence

5. 4) Prescription relatedfactors:
a) Illegal and inaccurate Prescription
b) Failure to refill prescription
c) Polypharmacy
5) Pharmacist related factors:
a) Professionalism
b) Patient counselling
6) Healthsystemrelated factors:
a) Long waiting times
b) Uncaring staff
c) Accessibility

6. Strategies to overcome medication adherence

7. Some patient education strategies that can help to improve medication adherence:
1) Some clearly written instructions that can be easily read should be reinforced.
2) A medication regimen should be made as per the patient's daily schedule and lifestyle.
3) Patient's family members should be involved to assist and encourage adherence.
4) A patient should be made to realize the importance of adherence at follow-up visits
and patient's effort to comply should also be recognised.
5) Follow-up visits should be scheduled as per the patient's previous adherence record.
6) Medications which can be given once daily and which causes the least side effects
should be prescribed.
7) Patients should be informed of the side effects that may occur and the steps to be
taken if they occur, e.g., stop the medicine, contact the doctor, take a simple remedy,
or continue the treatment.
8) The information should be restricted to four key points.
9) Simple language, short sentences, and specific instructions should be used.
10) The patient should be made to recall the instructions.