Medication adherence: Research finds no easy way to get patients to take prescribed drugs

Half of patients don't take their medications as prescribed, but despite efforts to encourage patients to take the necessary drugs, new research published in The Cochrane Library indicates there is no effective intervention. The updated study assessed the effects of interventions intended to enhance patient adherence to prescribed medications for medical conditions, on both medication adherence and clinical outcomes. Across the body of evidence, researchers found effects were inconsistent from study to study. Current methods of improving medication adherence for chronic health problems are mostly complex and not very effective, so that the full benefits of treatment cannot be realized, they concluded. Researchers say the field needs advances, including improved design of feasible long-term interventions. Study abstract