PRESCRIPTION ADHERENCE

AN INVESTIGATION AMONG PATIENTS AT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTER HOSPITAL, SARGODHA

Abstract

Objective: The aim of current research was to highlight the abilities of patients to
understand and follow prescription. Study design: Cross sectional study. Setting: District Head
Quarter (DHQ) hospital Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Duration: Data was collected between
April to June, 2015. Methods: Study was conducted by well-trained pharmacists regarding
prescription understanding and following. A well structured questionnaire was designed to gather
information from 150 patients that comprised of questions based on all factors to be evaluated for
prescription understanding and following. Results: The findings of this critique reveal that, 30%
of patients understood instructions given on prescription where as, 12% of patients were able to
comprehend physicians writing and 23% were those who even didn’t understand prescription
abbreviations. Similarly, correct method of drug administration, compliance with frequency
of dose and dosage form and accurate dose intake were acknowledged by 66%, 65%, 73%
and 80% patients, respectively while, 28% patients were able to make clear understanding
with precautions written on prescription. However, 20% of patients reported that medicines
have disturbed their routine life, 29% recognized their dependency on prescribed medications,
22% consulted with a third person for prescription interpretation, 36% reduced their dose to
half due to side effects, 35% stated that prescribed brands were available to them and 65%
missed their doses due to high cost of brands. Moreover, 76% patients showed consciousness
regarding value of therapy and only 31% patients acknowledged that prescribed brands
were economical. Conclusion: There is a lot of room for improvement in factors related to
prescription understanding and following. Enhanced literacy rate, generic prescribing practices
and cost-effectiveness should be considered for prescription consideration. Most important
from Pakistan’s point of view, role of pharmacist should be implemented in every health sector
of country to mimic most of prescription related problems.