Compliance Issues - Pharmacology

Compliance Issues

·        Compliance = extent to which person‟s behaviour coincides with medical advice

·        Few people take their medication as prescribed

·        Non-compliance is multi-factorial:

o  Rapport with doctor

o  Not knowing how to take medication

o  Not understanding the importance of the drugs

o  Taking many drugs

o  Anticipation or experience of side-effects

o  Forgetfulness

o  Impaired physical function or other disability

o  Community and family support

·        Strategies for improving compliance:

o  Education about disease and treatments (spoken instructions are quickly forgotten)

o  Simplifying drug regimes (fewer drugs and fewer doses)

o  Involving carers

o  Education about common side effects which may subside

o  Use of drug diaries, calendars, medication charts

o  Use of ordinary bottle tops (not childproof) for elderly people

o  Large print labels

o  Dosage forms (eg small pill size, pleasant taste)

o  Compliance aids such as pill trays and blister packs

o  Return or destruction of old drugs