We’ve all been there: you start feeling better, and suddenly, taking that medication twice a day becomes an inconvenience, or maybe you forget to check your drug bottle until it’s too late, and you run out of your essential blood pressure (BP) medications, like kuinopril Plus, on a weekend.
This challenge is called medication adherence, and it means taking your medicines exactly as prescribed: at the right time and for the full duration.
In Nigeria, where self-medication is common and schedules are hectic, medication adherence can be tough and a bit overwhelming. It is important to note that when you miss a dose or stop early, you’re not just risking your health; you’re literally giving infections a chance to fight back stronger (remember our post on AMR)
The simple truth: If you have a chronic condition like Hypertension or Diabetes, or if you’re treating an infection, consistency should be your best friend
The Cost of Non-Adherence: It’s More Than Money
Skipping your medication can lead to serious and expensive consequences:
- Worsening Health: For chronic diseases, non-adherence leads to complications, hospital visits (and queues), and lower quality of life.
- Drug Resistance: For antibiotics, stopping early allows the strongest bacteria to survive, fueling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
- Waste of Time and Money: All the effort and money spent on seeing a doctor and buying the medication is wasted if you don’t take it correctly.
The Simple System for Consistent Refills and Dosing
Managing your prescriptions should not feel like a chore. Here is a simple three-step system to make the medication adherence effortless:
- Decide and Establish a Dosing Habit
Instead of relying on memory, tie your medication to a daily routine you never skip:
– Food Anchor: Take morning doses immediately before or after your first meal and evening doses after dinner. Do you know that some medication needs to bind to food before they can work? Although for some, you shouldn’t eat. Confirm with your pharmacists before using any medication.
– Tech Anchor: Set a daily recurring alarm on your phone with the medicine name.
– Visual Anchor: Place your medication where you can’t miss it, for example, by your toothbrush, next to your kettle, or on your kitchen counter, but always away from children. - Plan Your Refill Reminders
Running out of essential medication is a major cause of non-adherence. Use the “Rule of 7” to stay ahead:-The 7- Day Warning: When you open the last 7 days of your medication (or when your bottle is one quarter full, It’s time to order your refill
– Use Your Pharmacy: At Onedrugstore, you can set up automatic refill reminders directly through our app or our website. We take the guesswork out of it and notify you exactly when it’s time to reorder. - Simplify Your Supply Chain
Make getting your prescription as easy as possible. This is where a trusted digital pharmacy becomes your secret weapon.– Centralize Your Prescription: Keep all your prescription details organized in one place, like your onedrugstore profile.
– Avoid the Search: You won’t have to waste time driving from pharmacy to pharmacy in search of a specific drug. All you have to do is order from Onedrugstore, and it gets delivered to your home or office.
– Quality Guarantee: Eliminate the worry of fake or substandard drugs. Every product from Onedrugstore is certified, protecting your health.
It All Starts With A Choice
Medication adherence is a choice, a choice to prioritize your long-term health over short-term convenience. By using simple habits and leveraging the convenience of Onedrugstore’s reliable delivery and refill services, you can ensure that you never forget a dose again.
Are you ready to simplify your health routine? Explore our refill Reminders and manage your prescriptions effortlessly here
