{"id":293,"date":"2022-08-09T10:39:36","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T10:39:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/?page_id=293"},"modified":"2023-11-08T23:09:36","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T23:09:36","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/about\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-l6kjacdi-c756ca387329b5961168302345de6a2f\">\n.avia-section.av-l6kjacdi-c756ca387329b5961168302345de6a2f{\nbackground-repeat:no-repeat;\nbackground-image:url(https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/healthcare-banner.jpg);\nbackground-position:50% 50%;\nbackground-attachment:scroll;\n}\n.avia-section.av-l6kjacdi-c756ca387329b5961168302345de6a2f .av-section-color-overlay{\nopacity:0.7;\nbackground-color:#005366;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-l6kjacdi-c756ca387329b5961168302345de6a2f main_color 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class='av-special-heading av-l6kk1umc-8337f420f8cb01a07ae6a9f92127a4bc av-special-heading-h1 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-2  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  av-inherit-size'><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >FAQs<\/h1><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_2'  class='avia-section av-lcs38-506ba5f9b7156a2d1ab45e8e5beaaa9d main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_textblock  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-293'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<div class='flex_column av-e8lv8-8ffa878d283799558f023dcd02035302 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-4  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  first flex_column_div '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-d5vks-7ddc93d020b87bac386a6a2cce0885b3\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-d5vks-7ddc93d020b87bac386a6a2cce0885b3{\npadding-bottom:10px;\nfont-size:35px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-d5vks-7ddc93d020b87bac386a6a2cce0885b3 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-d5vks-7ddc93d020b87bac386a6a2cce0885b3 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:35px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-d5vks-7ddc93d020b87bac386a6a2cce0885b3 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-d5vks-7ddc93d020b87bac386a6a2cce0885b3 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-d5vks-7ddc93d020b87bac386a6a2cce0885b3 .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-d5vks-7ddc93d020b87bac386a6a2cce0885b3 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-5  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  section-heading av-inherit-size'><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_2'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-293'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ljekwjat-f5cb4e245d343f5414f78451464e2cfc'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is medication adherence?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Medication adherence is defined by the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">World Health Organization as \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the extent to which a person\u2019s behaviour \u2013 taking medication, following a diet, and\/or executing lifestyle changes, corresponds with agreed recommendations from a health care provider.\u201d <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">(1)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In simple words, it means sticking to your medication regimen. Adhering to medication is taking the medication as directed by a healthcare professional \u2013 whether taken in pill form, inhaled, injected, or applied topically. Not taking medication as prescribed is called non-adherence. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the goal of the campaign?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The goal of <em>Script Your Future<\/em> is to raise awareness among consumers and their family caregivers about the importance of taking medication as prescribed as a vital first step toward better health outcomes. It encourages patients and healthcare professionals to better communicate about ways to improve medication adherence.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why don\u2019t people take their medicine as directed?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Taking medication correctly may seem like a simple or personal matter, but non-adherence is a complicated and common problem. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Upwards of three out of four Americans report that they do not always take their medicine as directed <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">(2)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Often there is no single reason someone does not take their medicine as directed, but rather a combination of reasons. These reasons include:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cost of medicines<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Not filling a new prescription or refilling an existing prescription when you are supposed to<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Stopping a medicine before the instructions say you should<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Taking more or less of the prescribed medicine<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Taking the medicine at the wrong time<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Forgetfulness<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Lack of belief in the medicine\u2019s effectiveness, being unsure the medicine is working\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Fear of side effects<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"82\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"9\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Trouble taking the medicine (especially with injections or inhalers)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What if the cost of my medicine is a problem?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Consumers should check with their health plans about their prescription drug coverage, and make sure they are getting the most out of it. They should also check with their healthcare provider or pharmacist about whether a medicine is available as a generic. Many pharmaceutical manufacturers have programs to help patients who need assistance paying for their prescription medicines, regardless of their insurance status.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Here are a few resources to assist with the cost of prescription drugs:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benefitscheckup.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Benefits CheckUp: Prescription Drug Assistance<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">National Council on Aging website that helps seniors with limited income and resources make the best decisions about the public and private programs that are available to help them save money<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">on prescription drugs and other healthcare costs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.panfoundation.org\/index.php\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Patient Access Network<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Helps underinsured people with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases get the medications and treatment they need by paying for their out-of-pocket costs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/health\/best-buy-drugs\/index.htm\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Consumers Union, the group that publishes Consumer Reports, picks the best drugs to treat certain conditions based on how well the drugs work, safety, side effects and cost. Also available in Spanish.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/medicare\/part-d-extra-help\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Medicare Extra Help<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Some people with limited resources and income also are eligible for Extra Help to pay for the costs \u2013 monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments \u2013 related to a Medicare prescription drug plan.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why should I care about medication adherence?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Millions of Americans are diagnosed with at least one long-term health condition, like asthma or diabetes. Studies have shown that average medication adherence rates range approximately from 40-80% <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">(2<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">).\u00a0 It is likely you or someone you know has one of these conditions and is struggling to take their medicine as directed\u2014and this can have serious health consequences.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Approximately 125,000 people die each year in the United States because of not taking medicine as directed <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">(3)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. About 30-70% of medicine-related hospital admissions in the United States are linked to non-adherence, with costs at approximately $100 billion a year <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">(2)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What can patients and family caregivers do if they have problems with medicine or questions about medication adherence?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">If patients have any issues with their medicine that keep them from taking it as directed, they should start by talking to a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, nurse practitioner, or other healthcare professional to learn about options or tools that can help. They can also check our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/tools\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Tools<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> page to find resources to help.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What can healthcare professionals do about medication adherence?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">If you are a healthcare professional (HCP) and would like help talking to your patients about taking their medications as prescribed, our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/tools\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Tools<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> page to find resources to help.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why is the National Consumers League leading this effort?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">As America\u2019s oldest consumer organization, the National Consumers League has advocated for consumer interests since 1899, providing government, businesses, and other organizations with the consumer\u2019s perspective on a range of concerns \u2013 including medication information. From this position as an advocacy organization, NCL led the charge on organizing over 130 diverse stakeholders who reached consensus on a campaign plan. The National Consumers League continues to direct and lead the campaign, with ongoing input, guidance, and support from Committed Partners.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What does it mean to be a Stakeholder or Committed Partner of the campaign? How do I become one?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Stakeholders are any organizations, agencies, and companies that have an interest in improving health and want to help improve medication adherence. Committed Partners are stakeholders that have officially signed on to demonstrate their support for the campaign, whether by contributing in-kind through participation in working groups, providing expert input, and\/or supporting the campaign through financial contributions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Campaign Partners also realize valuable benefits from their participation, such as helping to shape the campaign and gaining access to messaging and materials for distribution to their constituencies.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">If your organization is interested in joining the campaign, please contact NCL at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:robins@nclnet.org\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">robins@nclnet.org<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">References<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">(1) World Health Organization, 2003. Adherence to Long-term therapies, Evidence for Action. Geneva, Switzerland.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">(2) McCarthy R. The price you pay for the drug not taken. Business Health 1998;16:27-33. 3.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">(3) Osterberg L, Blaschke T. Adherence to medication. N Engl J Med 2005;353:487-97<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">(4) Benjamin, Regina.\u00a0 Medication Adherence: Helping Patients Take Their Medicines As Directed.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Surgeon General\u2019s Perspectives. Public Health Reports.\u00a0 2012. Volume 127.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":212,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/293"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=293"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2001,"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/293\/revisions\/2001"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriptyourfuture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}