Medication adherence
Medication adherence refers to the degree to which a patient correctly follows medical advice, most commonly, medication, prescribed to the patient. It also refers to the self-directed physiotherapy exercises, or attending counseling or other courses of therapy as prescribed by the physician.
There are several reasons why patient may not comply to the medication adherence. The most important of them is the forgetfulness. Patients’ poor rapport with the doctor and unclear purpose of the treatment are other major causes of the non Adherence to the medication adherence. It has been reported that only 50% of the patients suffering from chronic diseases adhere to the medication prescribed by the physicians. This non adherence poorly affects patient’s health. Once a treatment plan is chartered out between the patient and the doctor its affect must be clearly explained by the doctor and a written instruction must be provided by the doctor in order to increase the medication adherence.
The Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council of Europe/HCPC-Europe , a not profit organization was setup between the pharmaceutical industry, the packaging industry to improve the patient compliance or adherence through the use of packaging solutions.HCPC Europe defines Medical Compliance as “taking the right dose of the right medication at the right time for the prescribed duration of the treatment”.
Many companies have developed packaging solutions to aid in medication adherence. Most are based on the use of a solid dose blister as the primary package. Many material and component suppliers as well as pharmaceutical contract packagers have worked to develop proprietary packaging formats.
some companies like Senticare have developed automated solution to aid medication adherence. The PillStation from Senticare is device that brings a new approach to medication adherence. According to Senticare “PillStation uses digital pill tray images and a remote monitoring center to provide customized medication reminders that can provide the help that you an millions of individuals need to stay adherent.”
Increase medication adherence means better health and less healthcare cost. It also means less burden on the insurance companies. In recognition to the importance of the medication adherence, many companies have started reimbursing for the appliances that increase medication adherence.
Vikas Shukla is the lead architect of Hardware Design at BL Healthcare. He also provides consultancy for SEO and social media marketing.
Additional medication adherence devices (already on the US market) can be found at: http://www.epill.com/dispenser.html
Never miss or double dose again! Locked Automatic Pill Dispensers (electronic pill box or daily medication organizer) for medicines (tablets, capsules, caplets).
Med-Time XL: e-pill Automatic Pill Dispenser (up 28 x per day, capacity 28 medication times, up to 28 days).
MedSmart: e-pill Automatic Pill Dispenser (AC and Battery Operation, early dose, tamper resistant, up 6 x per day, capacity 28 medication times, up to 28 days). Only pill dispenser on the market with Patient Compliance Dashboard.
Compumed: e-pill CompuMed Tamper Proof Automatic Pill Dispenser (up to 4 x per day, capacity 28 medication times, 7 days).
MD.2 / Philips Medication Dispenser / Monitored e-pill Automatic Pill Dispenser with Voice Alarm (up to 6 x per day, monitored, capacity 60 medication times, up to 60 days).
Simple medication adherence assiatance can be found at http://www.TextMinderRx.com. If you have a cell phone this service is for you. Simply register and start receiving text messages to your cell phone when it’s time for your medication.