DRUG COMPLIANCE AND ADHERENCE TO TREATMENT

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In spite of any number of medicines will not be of use unless patient takes' them. After diagnosing the disease, the next most important step is to follow the instructions of physician in terms of treatment. The doctor's responsibility does not end with writing prescription, assuming patient will adhere to it. He/she should cross check the behavior of patient for drug compliance and see that patient follows it and get the benefit. Non compliance is the main barrier for the effective delivery of the medical care. This will have greater implications on the economic burden on the country in terms of frequent hospitalization, use of expensive medicines in case of relapse due to non adherence. Though the terms compliance and adherence are used synonymously, they differ in the delivery of quality of the medicare as the former implicates the passive following of the physician instruction, while in the later, patient actively participates in the development of the treatment plan, which will improves outcome of the treatment. Adherence is the preferred term over compliance by WHO.