Many people feel uncertain or alone when it comes to managing their medication. This makes it all the more important to not only provide patients with medical care, but also to give them clear and effective information. Now more than ever, health literacy is a decisive factor for successful treatment. It is not only of great importance for the success of individual therapies, but also opens up new opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry to provide meaningful support to patients throughout their entire treatment journey.
People who are well informed about their own treatment are much better able to cope with illnesses and treatments. This is particularly evident when it comes to medication. People who understand why they are taking a medication, how it works, and what they need to be aware of are demonstrably more successful in managing their therapy. This knowledge not only reduces the risk of intake errors or side effects, but also strengthens confidence in the treatment process.
In its “5 Moments for Medication Safety” concept, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes how important it is to actively involve patients in the use of medication. In crucial situations, such as before the first intake, when changing medication, or when discontinuing medication, specific questions should be asked and answered in order to identify risks at an early stage. The role of patients is thus increasingly shifting from passive to active in the course of therapy.
Particularly in the case of more complex therapies or chronic diseases, it is clear that those who are well informed adhere better to therapy, recognize possible side effects at an early stage, and can play a more conscious role in shaping their own treatment. The active involvement of patients in their own healthcare in order to improve the quality of treatment and health literacy is referred to as Patient Engagement. This process is increasingly supported by digital aids such as apps that provide understandable information, remind patients to take their medication, or document their treatment behavior.
This presents pharmaceutical companies with a clear strategic mission: patient care does not end with the dispensing of medication. Rather, it is the beginning of an opportunity to provide patients with long-term support through evidence-based information and digital assistance. Tools such as structured medication information, reminder functions, and monitoring solutions not only help to ensure treatment success and reduce risks, they also provide valuable real-world insights.
These practical insights provide information about how therapies actually work in everyday life, what challenges arise, and how care can be improved. They help pharmaceutical companies to align their strategies more specifically along the entire treatment journey and ultimately contribute to permanently improving the safety and effectiveness of treatments.
Sources
- Patient Education Is Key to Improving Medication Adherence | Pharmacy Times
- PATIENT-CENTERED EDUCATION: THE IMPACT OF MEDICATION EDUCATION CARDS ON PATIENT SATISFACTION AND OUTCOME – CHEST
- 5 moments for medication safety
- https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/ae1caeae-bc04-4a71-a6b0-ab478f9a8c79/content
- Medication Adherence and Intervention Strategies: Why Should We Care
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