SNAH: Bringing Health Practitioners, Patients, and Pharmacies Together for Effective Care
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Health care is one of the most important aspects of life, yet the United States system is far from perfect. Over 131 million people in the U.S. take at least one prescription medication, including 66% of adults. The leading drug classes for prescriptions in the U.S. are antihypertensive (high blood pressure), pain relievers, and mental health medications. Many Americans take life-saving drugs, yet managing them can be complicated.
A Complex Issue
Multiple practitioners are often involved in prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting medications. There are also different pharmacies that patients may use. This can lead to delays, miscommunication, and errors. Although medical offices do their best to keep systems up-to-date, complications can still occur when patients change insurance or move.
Common problems include:
Patients Forgetting To Refill Prescriptions
This can happen for a variety of reasons. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to forget to make a pharmacy run. Some patients may be unable to afford their copay, so they ration their pills until they can come up with the money. This can be dangerous, especially for those with chronic conditions.
Changes in Prescriptions Leading to Adverse Drug Reactions
Drug interactions are a serious concern. When patients see multiple practitioners, there is a risk that one will prescribe a medication that negates the effects of another. Patients may also forget to mention over-the-counter drugs or supplements, which can lead to interactions.
Miscommunication Between Practitioners, Patients, and Pharmacists
This is a common issue that can have serious consequences. Practitioners may prescribe the wrong medication or dosage. They may also fail to communicate significant changes to patients. Pharmacists may fill prescriptions incorrectly or dispense the wrong medication. Patients may forget to ask important questions or understand instructions and feel it’s too late by the time they get home.
Pharmacies Not Receiving…
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