The Importance of Medication Adherence: Strategies for Success

As an employer, you know that maintaining a healthy and productive workforce is critical to the success of your business. One way to do so is to ensure that your employees adhere to their prescribed medication regimens. In addition to promoting their health and well-being, facilitating medication adherence among your team members will boost the overall performance of your organization. An On-Site Rx pharmacy can play a pivotal role in helping your employees stick to their medication schedules and manage their chronic conditions effectively.

Since 2008, On-Site Rx, Inc. has been providing on-site pharmacy services to help large employers enhance their group health benefits. We can establish a full-service pharmacy on or near your business campus and stock it directly from the wholesaler. In other words, our prices are your prices. By making our low-cost/high-touch on-site pharmacy services available to your employees, you can help ensure that they will take their prescribed medications precisely as directed.

Understanding Medication Adherence

A primary determinant of medical treatment success, medication adherence refers to taking medication exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider. This involves following the exact dosage, timing, and frequency recommendations without deviation.  

While adherence is important for all medications, it is especially so for those prescribed to manage a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, where consistent intake is vital for controlling symptoms and preventing complications. For instance, not keeping blood pressure in check can potentially lead to a life-threatening heart attack or stroke.

Why Your Employees’ Medication Adherence Matters to Your Organization

Taking medications as prescribed is essential for achieving the desired therapeutic outcomes. If your employees adhere to their medication regimens, they will be more likely to experience improved health, reduced symptoms, and a lower risk of hospitalizations. This translates to fewer sick days, increased productivity, and overall better quality of life.

Consequences of Medication Non-Adherence

Non-adherence to medication can have serious consequences. For instance, an employee who skips a dose, takes an incorrect dosage, or stops taking their medication prematurely may face worsening health, increased medical costs, and a higher likelihood of requiring urgent care or hospitalization. This will affect more than the employee’s health—it can also result in higher healthcare costs for your company as well as reduced productivity due to absenteeism.

Overcoming Barriers to Medication Adherence

Several factors can hinder your employees’ medication adherence, including forgetfulness, regimen complexity, side effects, and a general lack of understanding about its importance. An On-Site Rx pharmacist can help your employees overcome these barriers by:

  • Providing personalized support – An On-Site Rx pharmacist can provide individualized counseling, helping your employees understand their medications and addressing their questions and concerns.
  • Implementing reminder systems – In addition to encouraging the use of apps, alarms, and pill organizers to help your employees remember to take their medications, an On-Site Rx pharmacist can set up medication synchronization systems to help ensure your employees do not miss doses.
  • Simplifying regimens – An On-Site Rx pharmacist can work with healthcare providers to streamline your employees’ medication schedules where possible.
  • Providing education – An On-Site Rx pharmacist can provide educational materials and workshops on the importance of medication adherence and how to manage medication side effects.

Partnering With an On-Site Rx Pharmacist

An On-Site Rx pharmacist can be your invaluable ally in promoting medication adherence among your employees. By offering on-site pharmacy services, providing education, and implementing supportive strategies, you can ensure that your employees will receive the guidance and encouragement they need to stick with their prescribed treatments, achieve better health outcomes, and maintain optimal performance.  

If you would like to learn more about how an On-Site Rx pharmacy can help your employees succeed in their medication adherence, contact On-Site Rx today.