Sensor Necklace Aims To Increase Drug Compliance

Researchers now have a possible solution for the one in three adults who fail to take their medicines as prescribed by their doctors, as well as for everyone else who occasionally forgets: a sensor necklace that records the exact time and date when specially-designed pills are swallowed, and reminds the user if any doses are being missed.

Taking Your Medications As Doctor Ordered - Help From The Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality, US Government

Free, online instructions for creating a pill card -- an illustrated medication schedule -- using only a personal or lap top computer and printer are now available from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a part of the US. Department of Health and Human Services.

Study Digs Into Reasons, Consequences For Stopping Anti-Clotting Medication Early

A large community-based registry of patients treated with drug-eluting stents is providing important insight into how long patients with complex coronary artery disease typically stick to their doctors' orders to take clopidogrel, a drug that prevents unwanted blood clots;

Purdue Expert Offers Tips On Spring Cleaning The Medicine Cabinet

When cleaning out the medicine cabinet, medication and drugs should not be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet, says a Purdue University expert. Patricia Darbishire, a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, recommends that before disposing of any medication people contact a local pharmacist, the Solid Waste Management District or a law enforcement agency to learn the proper disposal technique for your geographic area.

Schizophrenic Patients Often Discontinue Medication Due To Restrictive Drug Policies

Policies requiring authorization before physicians can prescribe newer medications to schizophrenic patients may be counter-productive. According to a new study, patients in Maine's Medicaid program who found themselves in this situation were 29% more likely to stop or disrupt medication use than patients not subject to the policy.

Better Muscle Control, Worse Side Effects In Parkinson's Drugs Tradeoff

Compared to older drugs for Parkinson disease, a newer class of medications called dopamine agonists might be better at preventing some of the disabling muscle control problems associated with the disease and its treatment, a new review of recent studies concludes.

Patients Are Encouraged To Consult Healthcare Professionals Before Discontinuing Medications

Patients concerned about recent news regarding the safety and efficacy of medications should seek guidance from their pharmacist, physician or other healthcare professional before they stop taking their medications. The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) strongly encourages patients to stay informed about their medications and ask their pharmacist or prescriber about any questions or concerns they may have about their medications.

Patients Often Don't Take What The Doctor Ordered

Patients often do not take the medicines their doctors prescribe, and a new review of existing research suggests that there is no proven way to get them to follow directions for long periods."Simple things don't work and nothing works very well, " said review lead author Dr.

Drug-Users Who Are Young And Homeless Are More Likely To Exit Treatment Early

Almost a quarter of the most problematic drug-users in some areas exit drug treatment programmes before they've even completed 30 days reports a new study published in BioMed Central's open access Harm Reduction Journal. It found that problem drug-users who were younger, homeless or not currently injecting are significantly more likely to exit early, possibly because drug services are off-putting and not suited to their needs.

Studies Look At Blacks' Noncompliance With Weekly Dialysis Treatment; Provider, Patient Satisfaction With Telephone Interpretation Services

"Dialysis 'No-Shows' on Saturdays: Implications of the Weekly Hemodialysis Schedules on Nonadherence and Outcomes, " (.