In sickness & in health How can science and creativity marry to create better medicines adherence? WORDS BY
Amy Schofield
A
ccording to NICE, it is thought that between a third and a half of all medicines prescribed for long‑term conditions are not taken as recommended. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation reports that adherence among patients with chronic diseases averages only 50% in developed countries. Add to this the fact that non-communicable and mental illnesses are expected to exceed 65% of the global burden of disease in 2020, and the true cost of failing to take the tablets becomes apparent. These statistics represent a huge loss – both personally and economically – to patients, the healthcare system and society. Non-adherence limits the benefits of medicines, leading to a decline in positive health outcomes and resulting in a massive financial cost. This emerges, not only from wasted medicines, but also increased demands for further innovation, when a patient’s health deteriorates as a result of not taking the medicine in the first place. It’s a vicious circle that must be cured. Now, as the healthcare landscape shifts from acute to chronic disease management, pharma and other stakeholders are delivering programmes that help patients to self-manage their conditions.
Adherence among patients with chronic diseases averages only 50% in developed countries.
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