AdherenceA

Adherence
Medication adherence has always been known to be a problem when taking HIV medications. Unpleasant side effects along with large pill burdens and stigmas attached to taking medications has made adherence difficult, even in the most motivated patient। Millions of dollars are spent each year trying to find ways to help patients be more successful in adhering to drug regimens. Unfortunately the cure all plan has not been found, and adherence continues to be a major problem in the care of HIV infected persons. The reality that adherence plays a major role in therapy failure necessitates a new push to help patients better adhere to their medicine regimens.
What's Being Done?
Programs across the country are working harder than ever trying to improve adherence. Peer "buddy" programs using patients to remind or assist each other with taking medicines have been successful by encouraging patient responsibility in their own care. Drug companies are providing funding for educational programs, workshops, medication alarms, watches and other adherence tools. Research and development of new once a day and twice a day therapies continues making drugs more tolerable and easier to take by decreasing side effects, dosage frequency, and the number of pills that need to be taken with each dose. Experts believe a combination of all these techniques, specific to each patient's needs is the answer to adherence problems.