Patient Preference and Adherence

“How are you taking your medication?” Communication and information about medicine use

Worldwide, many people use medication on a daily basis. However, it is not always easy for them to take these medicines properly or to start a conversation with a healthcare professional about their medication use. Furthermore, information about medication is not always easy to find and understand, especially for patients with limited health literacy. Good communication has been proven to positively affect adherence. In addition, clear and detailed medication-related information is important to improve proper medication use. Thus, communication and information are cornerstones in supporting patients to manage their medication. Better adherence leads to better health outcomes, better quality of life, lower healthcare use (including fewer hospital admissions), and reduced healthcare costs.