concerned 10.05.17 For the nearly half of adults in the U.S. with a chronic condition , 1 prescription medication is one of the most common medication interventions. Unfortunately, with different dosing schedules, potential interactions, instructions, and side effects to track, it isn t always easy to take medications as prescribed. As U.S. health care costs continue to rise, ensuring that patients are adherent to their medications is more important than ever before. That s why helping individuals who are struggling with adherence is one of the core components of a pharmacist s role . To better understand what people find most difficult about managing their medications and what might make it easier, we conducted a national poll of 2,041 adults who either have a chronic condition or are taking five or more prescription medications. The results shed light on what types of future pharmacy offerings and programs may help patients most. Medication Management is a Challenge Especially Sticking to a Dosing Schedule Overall, keeping to a dosing schedule is by far the most common challenge for those juggling multiple medications. Sixty-nine percent of respondents say they find this to be a challenge, and 39 percent say it is the most challenging part about managing their medications. Other common concerns include refilling prescriptions on time (54 percent) and understanding and avoiding drug interactions (47 percent). Additionally, four in 10 people find it challenging to understand when and how to take medications. Patients See Promise in Tools that Add Convenience and Clarity Two-thirds of respondents said phone, text or email reminders to take, refill and/or renew prescriptions would be helpful in addressing their medication management challenges. And 61 percent reported that a personalized daily schedule with clear instructions for when, and at what dose, to take medications would be helpful. Pharmacists Can Help Make Managing Medications Easier and Less Stressful As an accessible point of care in local communities, pharmacists can help patients get the care they need when they need it , addressing questions to help patients better understand their medications and conditions. In fact, 85 percent of respondents say they feel comfortable asking their pharmacist questions about their medications. Pharmacists are trained to provide several services , including medication counseling, medication therapy management, and providing strategies to help patients stay on track with their medications to help improve health outcomes. Recognizing that managing multiple medications can be difficult, CVS Health introduced ScriptPath Prescription Schedule to help patients with multiple medications keep track of all of their prescription information in one place, including which medications the patient takes, when the patient should take them, and how much of each medication should be taken in each dose. CVS Health offers a wide range of other pharmacy services and digital pharmacy tools , making it easier for patients to refill prescriptions and take their medications on time to promote medication adherence and better health outcomes. For more information about CVS Health s efforts to improve pharmacy care, visit our Health Care Innovation & Delivery information center . And to stay informed about the most talked-about topics in health care, register for content alerts and our bi-weekly health care newsletter . 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Disease Overview. Accessed August 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm Related Articles U.S. Health Care Evolution & Outlook: Merlo at Economic Club of New York CVS Health President & CEO Larry Merlo sits down with Fortune senior correspondent Susie Gharib to discuss important health care topics. Pharmacists Are Valuable Resources for Families Dealing with Chronic Conditions Children with chronic conditions face unique hurdles that can make school challenging, but pharmacists can be a valuable resource to help. Fixing Health Care s Pain Points: Merlo Addresses The Economic Club of New York CVS Health President & CEO Larry Merlo shared strategies to address three community health challenges across America. Related Press Releases 10.04.17 CVS Pharmacy Introduces ScriptPath Prescription Schedule for Patients 12.05.16 CVS Health and HHS Study Finds Proactive Pharmacy-based Outreach Helps Patients Access Needed Medications during a Natural Disaster 09.15.16 CVS Health's ScriptSync Service Marks One Year Anniversary 08.22.16 CVS Health Research Institute Study Shows Value in Tailoring Medication Adherence Interventions to Specific Patient Populations 07.07.16 CVS Health Research Institute Study Shows that Medication Reconciliation Programs Can Reduce Hospital Readmissions 01.29.16 CVS Health Research Institute Study Shows 11.4 Percentage Point Improvement in Medication Adherence Among Patients in Specialty Connect Pilot shopper
wire By the Numbers: The Challenge of Complex Medication Management considerable
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