Biologics, biologicals, or biotherapeutics are biologically derived protein-based therapeutic agents that differ from chemically synthesized small-molecule drugs in terms of the molecular complexity and production process. Starting with insulin for diabetes treatment, biologicals have transformed the treatments for several common and/or serious diseases.3 Approximately 25% of all newly approved medicines and one in development are…

The 2024 a:care Congress on Medication Adherence and Behavioral Science was a landmark event, setting new standards for global collaboration and innovation in healthcare. Hosted by Abbott, the congress brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and patient advocates to tackle one of the most critical challenges in healthcare: improving medication adherence through behavioral science. This…

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory illness that affected 480 million people or ~10.6% of the adult population globally in 20204. As per the global burden of diseases (GBD, 2013) it is the fifth most common cause of years lost due to disability-adjusted life expectancy. By 2012 it became the third…

Beliefs and misconceptions can turn life-saving medications into life-threatening decisions. Let’s understand with few vaccines’ hesitancy example. Firstly, During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitance, driven by concerns over safety, efficacy, income, education, misinformation, and trust in government, significantly hindered vaccination efforts and prolonged the virus’s circulation4. Secondly, rise in anti-vaccination sentiments surrounding beliefs that vaccines…

In the intricate system of healthcare, medication adherence emerges as a linchpin, weaving together improved health outcomes and heightened efficiency within healthcare systems1. Despite its pivotal role, adherence often remains undervalued or overlooked3. Let’s delve into the profound impact of investing in medication adherence, uncovering its significance beyond individual health to the broader landscape of…

Understanding medication non-adherence in chronic conditions According to World Health Organization (WHO), chronic condition tend to last longer and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors4. Some of the examples are a depressive disorder; coronary heart disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; diabetes; and high blood pressure1. The long-term nature…

Medication non-adherence is a pervasive challenge in healthcare, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs1. Motivational interviewing (MI) has emerged as a promising approach to enhance adherence by addressing the psychological barriers to medication compliance. Understanding Motivational Interviewing Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered counseling technique that enhances motivation to change by exploring and resolving…

From tradition to transformation: Navigating the shift In the recent past, traditional face-to-face healthcare model served as the cornerstone of medical practice, with individuals scheduling appointments with their General Practitioners in response to symptoms or for guidance on health concerns1. This approach changed dramatically with the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the…

Non-adherence is a common healthcare problem that derails the population’s health outcomes predicted by the treatment efficacy data. It also leads to the failure in translating the highly expensive and time-consuming process of new drug development5 and results in the wastage of prescribed medications. Non-adherence to medication causes an increase in hospitalizations, follow-up visits, usage…

Understanding medication non-adherence: A barrier to health outcomes Non-adherence to medication remains a huge barrier to achieve most favourable outcomes from prescribed treatment, especially in long-term conditions4. In 2018, a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that failure to adhere to medical advice led to approximately 200,000 premature deaths annually…

H. James Harrington, a pioneer in performance improvement, once said – “Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement. If you can’t measure something, you can’t understand it. If you can’t understand it, you can’t control it. If you can’t control it, you can’t improve it.” Monitoring and evaluation are…

Imagine being away on holiday in a remote location and finding yourself in need of medical advice or care, requiring a consultation from a healthcare provider. These situations may arise occasionally in our lives. Still, for billions of people living in rural areas, remote locations, or low-middle-income countries, the unavailability of quality medical care is…

Improving medication adherence is touted to have a greater impact on treatment outcomes than the improvement in any one specific treatment. However, it remains a formidable challenge due to its multifaceted nature impacting population health, quality of life, and health economics2.  Barriers to non-adherence are multifactorial and dependent on factors such as2,  Conventionally, interventions to…

Medication adherence: the elephant in the room. Medication adherence is a widespread challenge, affecting about half of all patients who find it difficult to take their medication as directed. While missing doses may seem trivial, it can have a significant impact on health, potentially leading to severe consequences, including life-threatening situations. A systematic review assessing…

The initial findings from the a:care Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) study were recently showcased at both the American Heart Association (AHA) Congress and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Congress. Medication adherence is crucial for predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in patients requiring secondary prevention. In developing countries, adherence to…

Medication adherence- a global concern Medication adherence is a critical component of healthcare, particularly when addressing chronic diseases. Nearly 75 percent of American consumers report not always following their prescription medicine as directed. This nonadherence is responsible for significant worsening of diseases, increased mortality, and a surge in healthcare expenses. A 2003 World Health Organization…