1. What is Medication Adherence?

Medication adherence refers to the degree to which a patient correctly follows medical advice regarding prescribed medications. In Malaysia, monitoring adherence is crucial for chronic disease management and treatment effectiveness.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the adherence formula:

Where:

• \( Taken \) — Number of doses actually taken by patient
• \( Prescribed \) — Number of doses prescribed by healthcare provider

Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage of prescribed doses that were actually taken by the patient.

3. Importance of Adherence Calculation

Details: Poor medication adherence is a major problem in Malaysia, leading to treatment failure, disease progression, and increased healthcare costs. Monitoring adherence helps identify patients needing intervention.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of doses taken and prescribed. Both values must be non-negative, and prescribed count must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered good adherence in Malaysia?
A: Generally ≥80% is considered good adherence, though optimal levels vary by medication and condition.

Q2: How is adherence typically measured in Malaysia?
A: Common methods include pill counts, pharmacy refill records, and patient self-reports.

Q3: What are common reasons for poor adherence in Malaysia?
A: Factors include cost, side effects, forgetfulness, cultural beliefs, and complex regimens.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This simple calculation doesn't account for timing of doses or patterns of non-adherence.

Q5: What interventions improve adherence in Malaysia?
A: Strategies include patient education, reminder systems, simplified regimens, and addressing cost barriers.