Take steps to remember medication

The following column was originally published in 2013.

Dear Annie: As a patient, I know how easy it is to forget to take your medication one day. As a pharmacist, I also know how serious the consequences can be. A recent report finds that one out of seven North Americans with chronic conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, is not taking medications as prescribed.

Sometimes patients neglect to fill or refill a prescription, miss a dose, take an old medication for a new problem, and more. Although these mistakes may seem harmless, they take a toll on patients’ health and on our nation’s health-care system, costing an estimated US$290 billion annually.

Pharmacists can help patients understand how medications prevent the progression of disease, reduce complications and lead to a healthier life.

Please encourage your readers to review the firstever National Report Card on Adherence at ncpanet. org/reportcard, and talk to their doctor or pharmacist if they have questions about taking their prescriptions.

— B. Douglas Hoey, RPH, MBA, chief executive officer, National Community Pharmacists Association

Dear B. Douglas Hoey: Thank you for reminding our readers of the importance of taking prescription medication as directed. It’s easy to forget, skip a day or think that because you are feeling better you don’t need to finish the dosage. We hope our readers will check out your website and pay closer attention.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.