(BPT) - “Drugs do not work in patients who do not take them,” said former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. This simple statement points to one of largest and most serious health problems in the United States. Data suggests that roughly half of the 3 billion prescriptions filled each year in America are not taken correctly resulting in increased hospitalizations and admissions to nursing homes, and billions of dollars in avoidable health care costs.
According to experts, the causes of poor medication adherence vary. Some blame it on high out-of-pocket costs for medications; others blame it on concerns over potential side effects. However, all experts agree that confusion and general forgetfulness are primary contributors to medications being taken incorrectly.
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