Medication Adherence and Overcoming Barriers

By Beth Coopman, PharmD at Network Health

When we think of wellness, generally we think of eating right and exercising. However, another important wellness element is medication adherence. Medication adherence means taking medications as your doctor prescribed. This is important for many reasons and will help ensure your overall wellness.

Ensuring you are taking your medications as your doctor prescribed helps you get the most out of your therapy. Missing doses of medications or taking your medications differently than prescribed can put you at risk of poor health outcomes. • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 50 percent of medications are taken incorrectly regarding timing, dosage, frequency and duration, leading to an estimated 125,000 deaths per year in the U.S. • Not taking medication as prescribed adds up to $300 billion in health care costs annually.

Some of the most important medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, heart, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other medical conditions, may not make us feel any different but they still help us live longer, better lives. For example, COPD daily maintenance inhalers may not make us feel any different immediately, but they help slow the progressive nature of COPD. Once lung function is lost, it’s very hard to regain.

Statin cholesterol medication is another example. These important medications, when taken by people with diabetes and/or high cholesterol, help prevent complications such as heart attacks and strokes. Living your best life should include following your medication schedule. Let’s discuss how to overcome common medication barriers.

Overcoming Common Medication Barriers COST

• Network Health places lower-cost and high-value medications favorably on the covered drug list (also called the formulary). Generic versions of medication can help you save on your prescriptions. • As a Network Health member, you also have the option to speak with a Network Health pharmacist about your medication cost concerns by doing either of the following. • Call 888-665-1246, Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Email anytime at pharmacist@networkhealth.com. • Websites like GoodRx.com allow you to see prices at different pharmacies and may offer coupons to reduce the cost further. • Patient assistance programs may be available through the manufacturer. Visit www.rxassist.org to find more information about a specific medication. FORGETFULNESS

• You have the ability to get 90-day supplies at retail pharmacies and through mail order. • See if your pharmacy has automated text or call refill reminders. • Use a medication planner or pill organizer and keep medications in a convenient and safe spot. • Your pharmacy may offer bubble packing or blister packing as another alternative. This is an easy way to organize your medications over a month’s period. • Set an alarm clock or find an app on your smartphone to remind you to take your medications. • Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medications can be simplified, such as once daily formulations or if you can take all your medications at one time of day.

COMPLEXITY OF PRESCRIPTIONS

• With the coronavirus, getting injections and infusions at home instead of the hospital has become quite common and convenient.

A nurse can provide one-on-one infusion care in the convenience of your own home, limiting your interaction with other people and environments. If you are interested, ask your personal doctor about setting up home infusion services. • Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can do your own injection at home. Certain subcutaneous medications, like

Actemra®, Cimzia® , Dupixent®, Fasenra®, Nucala® and Orencia®, can be obtained through the pharmacy benefit and self-administered at home.

SIDE EFFECTS

• Discuss side effects with your doctor or pharmacist as they may have a beneficial suggestion to resolve the issue. • Make sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware of all the over-the-counter medications you are taking, including vitamins, minerals and supplements.

Live your best life by following your medication regimen and remember, Network Health is here to support you with medication challenges.