One in four Canadians don’t follow their prescription instructions, poll finds
Posted March 4, 2021 1:49 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you’ve forgotten to take your medication, you’re not alone. A new survey finds that’s the most common reason for not following directions.
Of those polled who admitted to not taking their long-term medication properly, 38 per cent said they “occasionally” forgot to take doses, while 21 per cent forgot to take it altogether. Another quarter said the medicine made them feel sick. The others said it was too expensive or they stopped taking it because they started to feel better.
Thousands of Canadians were asked about this subject in the survey. Overall, about one in four admitted to not following instructions on the prescription label or stopping to take it without consulting a doctor.
Pharmasave says the number of Canadians not adhering to medication guidelines is concerning. It says this could have serious consequences, especially for those with chronic conditions.
Strategies to make sure you adhere to your prescriptions include asking your pharmacist to blister pack your medications or have them sorted into containers designed for pills. You’re also advised to set reminders and take it around the same time each day to make it a habit.
