Medicines Compliance

Medicines are only effective if used properly.

Pharmaceutical companies produce materials for distribution after their medicine has been prescribed to help patients to use their medicines correctly. They do this in a variety of ways; for example, by explaining simply what the condition is, what the medicine does and the importance of using it properly, by providing advice and aids on self administration techniques where, e.g. eye drops or inhalers, are involved, by providing memory aids for dose timing and by providing self-help advice and support.

Recognising its responsibility to ensure people take their medicines correctly, IPHA and its member companies has in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive and the representative body of community pharmacists, the Irish Pharmacy Union, developed various information booklets and consumer education campaigns.

The key messages across all these campaigns have been:

• Use medicines responsibly and correctly;
• Read the instructions carefully;
• Always take the correct dose;
• Check expiry dates;
• Ask your pharmacist (or doctor) if you have any questions about your medicine.