Amid the wealth of medical resources in the United States, a major concern looms—bridging the gap between prescriptions and consistent medication use.
Unfortunately, medication adherence (the rate at which patients take their prescriptions correctly) is low in the United States. According to a study by The Permanente Journal, it sits at about 40% to 50% for patients with chronic illnesses. The more medications one takes, the lower the rate becomes.
Many underestimate the importance of medical adherence. Each year, non-adherence greatly contributes to treatment failures, hospitalizations, and even death.
So, why do people wrestle with taking their prescribed medications? Some common reasons include forgetfulness, cost concerns, and overly complex regimens.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat the adherence issue, starting with better patient-to-pharmacy relationships. Additionally, medication synchronization and personalized packaging can make a world of difference.
At Klingensmith’s, we’re also addressing the problem by rolling out our new Script Packs. This program is designed to tackle issues like medication non-adherence so that patients can easily stay on top of their medications.
Let’s talk about Kling Script Packs – but first, we’ll dive into the two big ways we can improve medication adherence in the U.S.
1) Improved Medication Synchronization
What Is Medication Synchronization?
For patients taking multiple medications at different times of the day, keeping track of pill organization can quickly become overwhelming. It often requires more frequent trips to the pharmacy as well as strict medication management.
To help streamline the process, some pharmacies are offering medication synchronization
services, which refers to the coordination of treatment schedules for prescriptions. This can make managing multiple medications much easier, especially for patients with chronic conditions.
Pharmacists work with patients, organizing medication refills and pick-ups on one convenient date. When patients can pick up all their medications together, it reduces trips to the pharmacy, and healthcare providers can monitor their progress more effectively.
Why Synchronization Matters
Better synchronized medications offer several benefits for patients and healthcare providers alike.
Firstly, it increases medication adherence, as patients (especially those with chronic diseases) are more likely to exercise prescription compliance when the treatment plan is well-coordinated. Improved adherence leads to a host of benefits, including better health and reduced hospitalizations.
Additionally, medication synchronization reduces the risk of errors. When multiple medications are taken concurrently, there’s a higher chance of confusion or mistakes in dosing and administration.
By synchronizing doses, health professionals can identify potential drug interactions and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
Synchronized meds also improve patient convenience. Coordinating refill dates and consolidating medications into fewer visits to the pharmacy make medication management easier. This can be especially beneficial for those with mobility challenges or limited access to pharmacy care.
How the Kling Script Pack Supports Synchronization
In the past, medication synchronization was a burden put on the patient. Synchronization methods can be difficult to maintain, whether it’s trying to manage medication intake independently or using time-consuming pill boxes.
That’s where Kling’s Script Pack program comes in. Klingensmith’s takes care of the synchronization process for you. Our intuitive package design eliminates the need for clunky pill blisters or self-managed pill boxes, while still containing all necessary medications in individual packs.
That way, medication organization becomes a breeze—no more guesswork of if you’ve taken your medication or not, confusion on proper administration times, or having to sort through your prescriptions every week.
2) Packaging That Supports Medication Adherence
How Med Packaging Can Help or Hinder Adherence
There are many factors that go into proper medication adherence. Among one of the most important is packaging, which plays an important role in influencing medication use.
Clear and user-friendly packaging designs with legible instructions can increase patients’ understanding of different medications. It can also help to assure proper dosing.
Some packaging works better than others. For example, pill boxes are helpful in sorting medications by time and day of the week, but they also require continuous upkeep. Poorly designed packaging may cause confusion, possibly leading to non-adherence.
Overall, appropriate medication packaging can positively impact prescription compliance, safety, and health outcomes.
What the Research Shows
Strategically packaged medications work—and the science backs this up. Research indicates that there are two types of non-adherence: intentional and unintentional.
Unintentional nonadherence is easier to prevent. It’s usually caused by the patient being confused or forgetful about their medication management.
There are different packaging methods that are proven to lower unintentional non-adherence. For example, unit-dose packaging, such as individual sachets, ensures accurate dosing and reduces the risk of errors. This is especially beneficial for patients with complex regimens or those requiring assistance in managing their medications.
In a study conducted by Pharmacy (Basel), a group of adults were surveyed before and after using medication adherence packaging. The results showed that 88% of participants missed fewer doses, and 71% were more inclined to take their medications on time.
Furthermore, pre-packaged medication organizations can streamline pharmacy operations, reducing dispensing errors and saving time for health professionals. They also facilitate drug inventory management, ensuring medications are readily available when needed.
About Klingensmith’s Packaging
Non-adherence can significantly affect patients’ quality of life, and not for the better.
A more thoughtful approach to packaging, like the Kling Script Packs, can greatly improve adherence rates and positively impact those with multiple chronic conditions.
Moreover, each pack clearly states the patient’s name, the medication name, the date and time the dose should be taken, instructions, and dose information—making it an easy-to-understand and hassle-free way for patients to keep up with their medication regimen.
Medications are coordinated, combined, and ready for pick up once a month. Thus, reducing the need for extra pharmacy trips, and further contributing to medication adherence.
Learn More About Kling’s Script Packs Today
Medication nonadherence is a serious concern, affecting nearly half of Americans taking prescriptions. Fortunately, there are ways to help with medication management, starting with synchronization and thoughtful packaging.
Klingensmith’s Script Pack program offers top-notch medication synchronization capabilities, reducing the need for multiple trips to the pharmacy and having to sort through confusing instructions.
If you struggle to make sense of your prescriptions, let Klingensmith’s handle your medication organization. With many locations throughout Pennsylvania, there’s a Klingensmith’s near you ready to help!
