canadians aren’t taking their medication as directed – and the consequences can be dire

when canadians don’t take their medication as prescribed by their physician, it holds implications for both patients and the health care system – which is why it’s important to empower patients to follow through with treatment as directed until completion.according to a canadian pharmacists association (cpha) national survey conducted by abacus data in 2015, 30 per cent of canadians reported that they stopped taking medication before advised. about one in four reported not filling a prescription they were given or taking less medication than prescribed.non-adherence to medication can lead to documented negative implications, both on canada’s cash-strapped health care system (due to repeat visits to clinics and emergency rooms) and on patients’ health (due to recurring illnesses and worsening medical conditions).according to a world health organization report, medication non-adherence accounts for five per cent of canadian hospital admissions and five per cent of physician visits, resulting in an additional $4 billion in health care costs annually. when it comes to patients’ health, medication non-adherence is a major contributor to health complications and preventable deaths, to the point that it’s sometimes referred to as health care’s “elephant in the room,” canada’s “other drug problem,” and “the silent killer.”the abacus data survey’s 2,937 respondents gave various reasons for not taking their medication as directed. reasons include: not having insurance or not being able to afford the prescription; the cost of the prescription not being covered by their drug plan; being worried that the medication would make them sicker; and feeling embarrassed to tell people that they were taking a certain meditation.the most common response came from 51 per cent of respondents who didn’t think the medication would work for their illness or simply didn’t feel the need to take it.the situation has become even more serious during the covid-19 pandemic. factors hindering adherence in the covid-19 era include the anxiety-driven avoidance of care for both acute and chronic conditions; a decrease in routine medical care being sought and the postponing of annual appointments; consumers’ financial constraints; changes in the pharmacy landscape (such as hours of operation and staffing constraints); and drug shortages and contamination.as such, it has never been more important to increase patient adherence – both to ensure the health care system’s efficiency and to optimize patient outcomes. it must be impressed upon patients how important it is to adhere to their medication prescriptions until treatment completion, and equally, how important it is to be honest with their physicians.viatris – a new global health care company with a canadian presence formed through the combination of mylan and upjohn, a legacy division of pfizer – is on a mission to tackle this issue. it’s seeking to improve patient health and empower people to lead healthier lives by providing them the advice and tools they need to get the best possible outcomes from their medication.the viatris originals program supports patients with a doctor discussion guide, reminder tips resource, treatment diary, and more. resources and support tools are also available for health care practitioners, to assist them in identifying patients struggling with medication adherence and in facilitating adherence conversations.with the proper support and guidance, the issue of medication adherence can be tackled head on. the results are well worth the effort: fewer doctor and emergency room visits, fewer cases of recurring illnesses and worsening medical conditions, and better patient outcomes.visit viatrisoriginals.ca to learn more.disclaimer: this story was created by content works, healthing.ca’s commercial content division, on behalf of a canadian research-based pharmaceutical company.