Tomorrow's Care Issue 10

HELP US TO TACKLE MEDICATION NON-ADHERENCE

Authored by: Paul O’Hanlon, Managing Director, Omnicell UK and Ireland

Omnicell is a leading provider of medication and supply management solutions to the global healthcare market

We all recognise that non-adherence is a serious problem which has far reaching consequences for patients, the NHS and the wider health and social care system. Patients not taking their medication properly can clearly lead to worsening of diseases or illnesses and that in turn can result in further treatment, repeat visits to GP surgeries, visits to accident and emergency and even admission to hospital.

patients fail to adhere to their medication. Among the explanations given by patients as part of our research were: they simply forgot, the side effects made them feel worse or they just stopped taking their medication as they simply ‘didn’t feel ill’1

A .

Within patients where prescribed medication is necessary, drugs play an essential role in the ongoing management of conditions; more than ever before treatment compliance is at the front of healthcare professionals minds when discussing overall health with their patients, yet medicine adherence rates still remain poor. This is why highlighting the importance to the patient to adhering to their medication and advising them of ways to keep on track plays a pivotal role.

However, it’s not just communication that can help improve adherence, currently, nearly one million patients already use adherence packs in the UK, which are designed to enable the pharmacist or care provider to provide

References:

1. Omnicell Medication Adherence: ComRes interviewed 2,048 British adults online between 31st July and 2nd August 2015. The sample of respondents was weighted to be nationally representative by age, gender, region and social grade.

2. www.gov.uk/government/news/action-on-medicine- wastage-and-improving-medicine-use

3. Medi-voice Project http://cordis.europa.eu

4. The Kings Fund: Polypharmacy and medicines optimisation- Making it safe and sound

5. Omnicell Medication Adherence: ComRes interviewed 2,048 British adults online between 31st July and 2nd August 2015. The sample of respondents was weighted to be nationally representative by age, gender, region and social grade.

6. Nursing Times: Concordance and opportunity for partnership in medicine taking.

recent study by Omnicell confirmed common thinking that there are a number of reasons why

MEDICATION WASTAGE COSTS THE NHS £500 £55 THIS MEDICINE COSTS

36% OF BRITISH ADULTS AGREE PRINTING THE COST OF THE MEDICATION TO THE NHS ON THE

PACKAGING – A CURRENT GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL – WOULD MAKE THEM MORE LIKELY TO TAKE THEIR DRUGS PROPERLY. BUT THE MAJORITY DOUBT IT WILL HAVE ANY EFFECT.

(Omnicell Medication Adherence: ComRes interviewed 2,048 British adults online between 31st July and 2nd August 2015)

31%

AROUND ONE IN THREE PEOPLE (31%) SAY THEY HAVE DISPOSED OF MEDICATION THAT THEY HAVE NOT

USED, AND 6% SAY THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN LEFTOVER MEDICATION TO ‘SOMEONE THEY KNEW’.

(Omnicell Medication Adherence: ComRes interviewed 2,048 British adults online between 31st July and 2nd August 2015)

www.letstakecareofit.com/pledge To find out more information visit: www.letstakecareofit.com

million EVERY YEAR

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt statement on Medication Adherence 2nd July 2015

personalised blister packs. Whilst the use of these products has risen over the years, here at Omnicell we recognise that there are still a large number of patients who find managing their medication a challenge and we need to work harder to make pharmacists, GPs and care agencies aware of the many aides that are widely available to support and encourage medication adherence.

The problem of medication non-adherence requires a multi-faceted approach to address patient behaviours, attitudes and other barriers. At Omnicell, we are launching a new campaign ‘Adherence, Let’s Take Care of It’ to raise awareness of this issue and support our healthcare community to help tackle the problem. A first of its kind National Medication Adherence Week, fronted by Omnicell will take place on 16th – 23rd October 2015.

So why not show your support for adherence by signing up to our pledge wall at:

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