More about the correct and effective use of medicines, or pharmacist tips for the Comment / Day
It is important to take the medicine properly and correctly to recover. Conversely, patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, mental, cardiovascular disease, should mostly take the drug in the long run to maintain the quality of life, avoid exacerbation or general health and sometimes even fatal outcome. In order to get the effect from therapy, the right dose is important, the use of the medication – how many times a day should be taken, at some time when the drug should be taken, their interaction with other medications, nutrition, lifestyle. Many patients do not use the medicine according to the doctor’s prescribed regime. « Moon Pharmacy » pharmacist Eric Petersone shares observations: « There are many, almost every day. Sometimes patients do not remove all medications, even if they are paid. medications. ” Another factor for a lower compilation, the pharmacist also mentions a variable drug reimbursement system, financial factors: “The patient gets into a large number – if one or two of the six packs change from time to time, it is quite difficult to follow the instructions for use, despite the consultation and the instructions for use on the box.
Conversation with a specialist and understanding of therapy
The pharmacist notes that the patient should understand why the prescribed medication is needed, what therapeutic effect they will provide, what are the long -term health benefits. « Everything is based on a conversation and the patient’s understanding not only about how to use the drug, but also what the effect of this medicine, the effect of the drug will be, how long this effect will achieve, the importance of taking the medicine properly, consistently, so that the effect is achieved, » says the pharmacist. « Coming is important to everyone, it is based on a understandable and successful communication by a doctor, patient and pharmacist. If necessary, other family members who can support a loved one should also be involved and helped to use the medicine properly. Side effects, if such a patient have been observed, can contact a doctor for properly adjusting therapy, ”says Eric Petersone.
Using Reminders and Tools to Support for Comprises
« Everything is based on the patient, his lifestyle, needs – given these aspects, we can help each one’s most convenient and suitable help in everyday life, » says the pharmacist, noting the lists of drugs, self -filling herbal use tables that can be applied to the refrigerator or put it in a bag.
A good tool can be the tablet organizer. « This can be both day and week. The organizer will facilitate the intake of medicines, especially if you need to take multiple medications and also a dietary supplement. Such a drug box will be useful, for example, for a busy and always hurried person who has been overwhelmed by the medicine and a senior who lives one. Various other tools are also widely available – phones reminders, mobile applications that will help to follow the medication regimen daily and maintain good health.
Equivalent – not only therapy but also lifestyle and regular measurements
It is worth noting that the concept of compliance is not limited to the use of the drug, but also the patient’s active involvement in improving his or her health, which includes regular preventive examinations, lifestyle adjustments. « Over and over again, the role of lifestyles is! Medication is only part of an effective treatment – the patient’s lifestyle plays a very important role. Regular sleep, balanced diet and sufficient physical activity, discarding harmful habits can improve treatment results and even reduce the need for higher doses, » recalls the pharmacist. Blood pressure measurements, sleep, daily regimen, nutrition, which can significantly affect therapy.
“A classic example is blood pressure measurements – going to the doctor the patient may be excited, blood pressure in the doctor’s office is elevated, so to prescribe the most appropriate therapy, you need to understand what blood pressure is in everyday life. His records and health measurements, ”says the pharmacist, recalling that the pharmacy also has access to health measurement books for this purpose.
The reasons for the lack of compliance include not only the patient, but also the factors related to the treatment process and the health care system, cooperation with the doctor, pharmacist, the support of peers, social and economic aspects. On March 27, 2025, for the first time in Latvia and in the world, World Adherence Day is celebrated, which aims to focus on issues related to patient compliance with better treatment results.
