AS PEOPLE grow old, they become more prone to different illnesses. Our immune system weakens if we don’t take good care of our health and body.
However, once we are diagnosed with a certain illness, we are obliged to take certain medications to heal or prevent it from getting worse.
Medications are prescribed by doctors and they instruct their patients how often, at what hour and what drugs they should take for their sickness. Despite the given instructions, some patients don’t follow the prescription given to them. Since these patients belittle taking these drugs, they don’t know the consequences they may face.
Pharmacology is a branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs. Drugs are bought at a drug store and pharmacists are people who are professionally qualified to prepare and distribute medicinal drugs.
According to Maku Yuzon, a registered pharmacist, the common problem that she usually encounters is noncompliance. It is when a patient doesn’t take his or her medications on time or doesn’t even take them at all.
“Kapag hindi mag-comply ang patient kay mag-lead 'yan siya to resistance ng body mo to the drug. Meaning, hindi na mag-gana 'yung gina-inom mo na gamut so bigyan ka dapat ng more potent doses of the drug. Tapos kung paulit-ulit 'yan mangyari, end part is maubos na ang choices niya for drugs,” Yuzon said.
When the patient is given more potent drugs, the risks of side effects are high and can cause more complications to the patient’s disease or sickness. Common side effects are resistance, non-healing, and it may lead to injury of the liver or kidney depending where the drug would be metabolized.
Not everyone is exempted from this problem. In the Philippines, it applies to all ages especially those who couldn’t afford the medications.
Since they don’t have the money, they have no choice but to disregard the medication. Later on, their disease worsens and may add up to more complications.
From a pharmacist’s point of view, she suggests to solve the problem is through raising awareness to the patient. They must be educated with the risks if they don’t comply. When it comes to the elderly, both patient and their guardian must be educated so that they would be reminded.
“Nag-try develop ngayon ng other ways such as 'yang automated dispenser or alarms pero hindi pa siya ganoon ka-developed kasi kailangan ng big budget for it,” Yuzon added.
It is important to take medications correctly and regularly. As a matter a fact, the chance of a better health condition improves when you take your medications as instructed.
Make sure to understand why you need the drug, when to take the drug, how to store the drug and what could happen if you don’t take the drug. Being educated with proper medication is something one mustn’t take for granted.
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Francesca Elaina M. Tabaco is a student of the Ateneo de Davao University.