Take the Pledge. Take Your Meds Script Your Future START with sizzle reel Take the Pledge. Take Your Meds A Campaign of the National Consumers League

What is Medication Adherence? Taking your medication(s) EXACTLY as directed by your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other health care professional. Ask audience to identify examples of adherence and non adherence. For example, physician says to take 1 tablet twice a day, but you take only 1 tablet per day. Or you take 2 tablets all at once instead of twice a day.

Are You Like Most People?

Why Is Adherence So Important? Fewer doctor visits Fewer emergency room visits Better quality of life A longer and HEALTHIER life Invest in YOURSELF, you are worth it! Audience participation: Ask how many enjoy going to the doctor? Ask how many enjoy going to the emergency room? But how many of you enjoy going on vacations, spending time with family and friends, and just enjoying your life?

How Can I Improve My Health with Medication Adherence? Figure out the main reason why you are not taking your medicine Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist or other health care professional! Really encourage conversation with healthcare professional Many can receive prescription label instructions in bigger font, different language, etc.

It begins with a conversation…

Based on the reasons, find a solution Assess: When you miss your medication, which one do you miss and how often do you miss it? Engage: Why do you miss your medicine? What makes it difficult for you to take your medicine? Resolve: Based on the reasons, find a solution

Solutions: From Low Tech to High Tech For this… Try this.. Forgetting to take a dose A friendly reminder from a family member or others, pill box, medication schedule/alarms, calendar (paper, electronic, smart phone), email reminders Not convenient Time your doses with an activity, carry a supply of medicines with you Out of sight, out of mind Place medicine reminders where they might be seen easier: kitchen table, night stand Running out of medicines Request refills ahead of time, enroll in an auto-refill program, sign up to receive refills all at the same time at the pharmacy Use pill boxes Use an alarm Develop a schedule or system that fits you Ask family members to remind you Use a calendar Carry your medications with you Request refills before you run out of meds Educate yourself about your specific disease state Store your medications in a convenient safe place out of the reach of children Sign up to get text message medication reminders at scriptyourfuture.org ScriptYourFuture.org provides tools and resources to help you take your medicine as directed.

When the issue isn’t about forgetting… I don’t know what my medicine is for I’m afraid to take my medicine because… Do I have to take this medicine forever? This medicine is too expensive for me Can I take this medicine with others? What will this medicine do for me? This medicine is too hard for me to take I don’t understand how to take this medicine Figure out the main reason why you are not adhering Talk to your health care professional about side effects that may be causing you not to take medication Talk to your health care professional if you have difficulty swallowing pills Ask your pharmacist or health care professional if you don’t understand the instructions on the label Take your meds even when you feel well

Don’t go it alone! Ask your pharmacist, doctor or other health care professional Be informed List your questions Ask your questions and get them answered Important questions What is the name of my medicine and what does it do? How and when should I take it and for how long? What if I miss a dose? Are there any side effects? Is it safe to take with other medicine or vitamins? Can I stop taking it if I feel better?

Tips Don’t be shy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about what kind of side effects to expect, and how long they should last. Doctor, Doctor! Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working for you. No secrets. Always tell your doctor if you stop taking your medication. Portable health record. Keep an updated list of everything you take. Share this with your doctor and pharmacist.

Know the Questions to Ask Doctor, Nurse or Pharmacist What is the name of my medicine and what does it do? How and when should I take my medicine and for how long? What if I miss a dose of my medicine? Does my medicine have any side effects? Is my medicine safe to take with other medicine or vitamins? Can I stop taking my medicine if I feel better? Important questions

Tools Develop a schedule or system that fits your normal routine Use a calendar Use daily or weekly pill boxes Use an alarm Ask family members to remind you Post reminder notes Sign up for automatic refills and reminder phone calls www.ScriptYourFuture.org provides tools and resources to help you take your medicine—like text message reminders

Visit www.scriptyourfuture.org Note tools and resources to help you understand your condition and your medications. Sign up for text reminders for your meds. TAKE the Pledge! Look at videos on your condition and why you need to take meds. Download fact sheets, medication lists and more.

Take The Pledge. Take Your Meds. These questions, along with the pledge are all on the Script Your Future wallet card. Script Your Future Wallet Cards I WILL Pledge

Script Your Future If you don’t take your medicine as directed, you’re putting your health and your future at risk. Talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other health care professional! They are your most important partners. www.ScriptYourFuture.org provides tools and resources to help you take your medicine and take back your future.

Thank you! www.scriptyourfuture.org