From the fear of side effects to forgetfulness to the rising cost of prescribed medicines, there are several reasons people are not able to take their medication as directed. This lack of medication adherence is a critical issue with far-reaching consequences for individuals and society.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), poor medication adherence is one of the leading causes of patients not fully reaping the health benefits that medicines can offer. Medication non-adherence can result in complications, reduced quality of life, increased risk of drug resistance, and unnecessary strain on healthcare resources.
Deaths due to non-adherence
Non-adherence to medication regimens is a silent crisis. According to the CDC, 20 to 30 percent of prescriptions for chronic health conditions are never filled, and about half are not taken as prescribed. If patients do not take medications as prescribed by their healthcare provider, then it may result in severe health complications, leading to hospitalizations and, in extreme cases, even death. For instance, a person with hypertension who skips doses might suffer a stroke, while a diabetic patient might experience life-threatening hyperglycemia.
According to the American College of Preventive Medicine, medication non-adherence dramatically affects health. Lack of adherence leads to a substantial increase in morbidity and mortality. For example, in the United States alone, it is estimated to cause approximately 125,000 deaths, at least 10% of hospitalizations. Further, medication non-adherence has been estimated to cost the U.S. healthcare system between a staggering $100 billion and $289 billion annually. So no doubt, medication non-adherence is a costly and long-standing problem.
So, how can we improve medication adherence?
One obvious way to improve medication adherence is to set reminders. But manually doing it may be counterproductive. Plus, you may need help saving your medication history and accessing or sharing it whenever you or your healthcare provider need it. This may sound even more challenging. Luckily, today, entrepreneurs are working towards solving this problem with smart medication reminder devices like VARIDOSE.
Now, let us see a few compelling reasons for their adoption and transformative societal impact, focusing on key areas like elderly care, fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the five dimensions of medication adherence, and long-term chronic care management.
1. Elderly care: Due to factors such as memory impairment, complex medication regimens, and a higher prevalence of chronic conditions, the elderly population is particularly vulnerable to medication non-adherence. Many of them often require multiple medications, making it challenging to manage their intake accurately. Smart medication reminder devices like VARIDOSE provide a practical solution by offering timely reminders. They act as a smart assistant to remind, record, and provide feedback on your medication regime to patients’ families and their treating doctors. This not only enhances the health outcomes for elderly patients but also alleviates the burden on caregivers.
2. Fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR): The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have made antimicrobial resistance (AMR) a growing global health threat. Non-adherence to antibiotic regimens can lead to incomplete treatment of infections, allowing bacteria to survive and develop resistance. Smart medication reminder devices like VARIDOSE can help combat AMR by ensuring patients complete their prescribed antibiotic courses, reducing the likelihood of resistance development. By assisting patients to improve their medication adherence, these devices contribute to preserving the efficacy of existing antibiotics.
3. Empowering family participation: Smart medication reminder devices are crucial in facilitating remote medication management for elderly parents by their children who stay far away. These devices simplify the process by sending timely alerts and reminders directly to their smartphones or computers. It will help them ensure their parents take their medications on schedule, reducing the risk of missed doses or incorrect timings. Moreover, devices like VARIDOSE can even provide notifications when medications have been taken and show the entire medication history, offering peace of mind and enabling children to monitor their parents' health remotely.
4. The five dimensions of medication adherence: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), medication adherence can be understood through five dimensions:
Socio-economic factors: Due to financial constraints or lack of access to healthcare, patients from lower socio-economic backgrounds may struggle with medication adherence.
Healthcare system-related factors: Fragmented healthcare systems hinder communication and follow-up. VARIDOSE can ensure continuity of care by keeping patients on track when providers are absent.
Condition-related factors: Chronic conditions often require long-term medication, which can be challenging to manage. VARIDOSE can help patients remain consistent over extended periods.
Therapy-related factors: Complex regimens can be daunting to some patients. For such patients, VARIDOSE can provide timely reminders and simplify these regimens, making them easier to follow.
Patient-related factors: Individual behaviors and attitudes towards medication can vary from patient to patient. Smart medication reminder devices like VARIDOSE can help family members and caregivers track and get the necessary feedback to help patients.
5. Long-term chronic care: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), poor adherence to chronic disease treatment is a worldwide problem of striking magnitude. Patients experience difficulty in following long-term therapy for chronic illnesses, with adherence averaging as low as just 50% in developed countries. And in developing countries, the rates are even lower. However, managing chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension necessitates strict adherence to medication regimens to prevent complications and improve quality of life. Smart medication reminder devices like VARIDOSE will help to ensure patients with chronic conditions do not miss doses.
6. Societal impact: The widespread adoption of smart medication reminder devices like VARIDOSE can revolutionize healthcare by reducing hospitalizations, improving patient outcomes, and lowering healthcare costs. It can even integrate with any of the existing Health Tech systems to strengthen the continuum of care for its patients. It stores medication histories that are important in preventing prescription errors and consequent risks to patients.
These smart medication reminder devices enhance medication adherence, contributing to a healthier population and a more efficient healthcare system. Moreover, such devices empower patients, particularly the elderly and those with chronic conditions, to take control of their health, fostering greater independence and quality of life.
Conclusion
The pervasive problem of medication non-adherence has a compelling solution—a smart medication reminder device. These devices can minimize mobility, mortality, and hospitalizations, support elderly care, combat AMR, address the multifaceted dimensions of adherence, and manage chronic conditions. Further, these devices will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring patients receive the full benefits of their prescribed treatments, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.
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