Studies have shown that only 50% of patients adhere to their prescribed medication regimens, a statistic that has ignited a global call to action in the form of World Adherence Day, which is set to debut on Thursday March 27.
The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the vital role of taking prescribed medication consistently and the pressing need for safe and secure supply chains and accessibility, particularly for patients with chronic health conditions.
“The implications of this adherence gap are profound,” Medipost Holdings group sales and marketing director Rentia Myburgh said.
“Non-adherence to your medication regimen can lead to worsening health conditions, increased hospitalisations, and even premature death. Even a few days [of non-adherence] can have lasting consequences for your health and treatment plan.
“This principle is as applicable to psychiatric medication as it is to diabetes and HIV management, and patients should never stop taking these medications without consulting their treating healthcare practitioner.”
For South Africans, the stakes are exceptionally high, with prevalent conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and HIV necessitating strict adherence to treatment regimens. The country faces unique challenges, including limited access to healthcare facilities and disparities in medication availability.
Medipost Holdings, along with its subsidiaries Medipost Pharmacy, Kawari Wholesalers and MediLogistics, is tackling these issues by maintaining a reliable supply chain and ensuring efficient delivery of medications nationwide.
“Missing doses can trigger a relapse of symptoms, cause withdrawal symptoms, or even result in life-threatening complications. The risks are real and serious. It is crucial to maintain your medication schedule to keep your health stable all year round,” Medipost Pharmacy pharmacist Sameera Kumandan said.
Medipost Pharmacy is SA’s first courier pharmacy and part of the Medipost Holdings Group.
Kumandan emphasises the critical reasons for adhering to prescribed medication schedules:
Avoid withdrawal symptoms: Interrupting your medication regimen can lead to withdrawal symptoms like agitation, migraines and restlessness. This is particularly true for medications affecting the brain and central nervous system (CNS), such as antidepressants and opioids. Stopping these medications abruptly can cause mood changes, irritability, anxiety and other uncomfortable CNS-related symptoms.
Prevent disease progression: Consistent medication use is crucial for managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or epilepsy. Missing doses can lead to complications such as strokes, seizures, or organ damage, highlighting the importance of sticking to your prescribed treatment regimen.
Maintain treatment effectiveness: Inconsistent medication use can sometimes diminish effectiveness and lead to antibiotic resistance, making future treatments less effective.
Kumandan warns that missing doses can have serious consequences for patients with the following types of conditions:
Cardiac conditions: Stopping heart medication abruptly can lead to heart attacks or dangerously high blood pressure.
Diabetes: Skipping diabetes medication can cause high blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of a diabetic coma or diabetic acidosis.
Epilepsy: Missing doses might trigger seizures due to falling medication levels.
Psychiatric conditions: Discontinuing psychiatric medications like antidepressants without guidance is risky, as the resulting CNS-related withdrawal symptoms can significantly affect emotional stability and overall health.
World Adherence Day seeks to highlight the critical importance of medication adherence, urging healthcare providers, policymakers and patients to make it a priority in effective healthcare delivery. The campaign emphasises that adherence goes beyond merely taking medication; it involves ensuring patients receive the correct medication, in the proper dosage, at the appropriate time.
The Medipost Holdings Group’s in-house supply and distribution service, Kawari Wholesalers, sources medicines directly from pharmaceutical manufacturers, while the group logistics company, MediLogistics, transports them to Medipost Pharmacy following good pharmacy practice standards.
Once dispensed, MediLogistics ensures the patient-ready medicine parcels reach patients directly or are delivered at designated medicine collection points, thus completing a seamless continuum of care.
“The Medipost Holdings continuum of care approach is dedicated to making life-saving medicines more accessible, thereby supporting treatment adherence for improved health outcomes among those with chronic conditions,” Myburgh said.
