Risks due to unauthorized use of medication

Patients often do not listen to the doctor and risk their health

28.10.2011

Many patients do not follow the instructions of the doctors and pharmacists when taking medicines. However, this unauthorized action can cause considerable health problems and in the worst case cause the death of patients, warned physicians of the Foundation German Stroke Help on the occasion of tomorrow's World Heart attack day.

According to the experts, the lack of adherence not only causes billions in healthcare costs every year, but can also increase the risk of serious illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases and strokes. The fact that about half of the patients in the industrialized countries overrides the instructions of their physician to take medication, is therefore extremely questionable, so the statement of Brigitte Mohn, CEO of the Foundation German Stroke Help, on Friday in Gütersloh.

Billions of costs and massive health risks due to lack of adherence to therapy
As the German Stroke Assistance Foundation, citing a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003, reports, in modern industrialized countries, only 50 percent of patients strictly comply with their doctor's prescriptions when taking medications. This lack of compliance (adherence to therapy) causes around € 10 billion in additional costs in the health system each year in Germany alone, said Brigitte Mohn in a recent communication on the occasion of the World Velis Brain Day on 29 October. Patients often experience significant health risks with poor compliance, the expert warned. Because „Many patients are often unaware of the overall context“ between her illness and its influence on her own health, explained Mohn. Particularly in diseases of the cardiovascular system and in stroke patients, the continuous intake of the drugs is of crucial importance, the expert continued. The idiosyncratic discontinuation of the medication or interruption of the intake could bring serious health problems here, said the CEO of the Foundation German Stroke Help.

Leaflet as therapy obstacle
Therefore, it is completely unacceptable, according to the German stroke aid, that „still many drugs in the trash can land and prescribed aids in the corner“ dust. Patients may risk their lives recklessly, according to the experts. Foundation chairwoman Brigitte Mohn also cited the sometimes difficult to understand leaflets of the drugs as a reason for the unauthorized actions of the patients. These wear with theirs „codified formulations“ This is helped by the fact that the patients do not carry out their doctor-recommended therapy or break it off early, explained the German Stroke Help Foundation. Patients would be more insecure than motivated to take. Therefore, the foundation has a kind „Automatic translator“ created for leaflets, which can be viewed at www.schlaganfall-hilfe.de and to educate the patient to contribute.

Keep medicine in sight
Another reason for interruptions in drug therapy according to the experts, the forgetfulness of those affected. For example, many patients who regularly need to take medications sometimes forget to take their pills, which can have serious consequences for serious illnesses, emphasized the Foundation Chairman. Therefore, stroke patients should always keep their medication well visible, as they automatically remember the medication as soon as they see it. The toothbrush glass but also a pill box can help to improve the adherence significantly, emphasized the Foundation German Stroke Help. Helpful is also a daily alarm in the cell phone, the entry and check off the intake in the calendar and attaching small sticky notes, for example, the refrigerator or alarm clock, reminiscent of the drugs, so the recommendation of the Foundation German Stroke Help.

One million strokes annually in Germany
How many patients are actually dependent on the daily intake of medication can only be guessed. For example, according to the information provided by the German Stroke Aid, around one million people in Germany suffer from the effects of a stroke and must therefore take the appropriate medicines. The experts estimate that around 250,000 new strokes occur annually in Germany, with around one fifth of patients dying from the consequences within four weeks, and 37 percent not surviving the first year after the stroke. In addition, 50 percent of surviving stroke patients suffer from permanent disability, reports the German Stroke Help Foundation. Many of those affected could be helped with medicines, but patients must also comply with the instructions given by their doctors when taking them, the foundation's chairman warned. For example, vascular blockages, which often cause reduced blood supply to the brain and are the cause of strokes, can be relatively efficiently avoided by administering appropriate medication, the expert reported. (Fp)

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Picture: GTÜ