'Script Your Future' Provides Tools and Outreach to Encourage Medication Adherence

November 10, 2011 5:45 PM Topics: Patient safety and Patient counseling

US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin called upon pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers to talk with their patients about the importance of taking medications as directed to help prevent serious health complications at the recent launch of the national campaign, “Script Your Future.” Benjamin also “encouraged patients with chronic conditions to speak with their health care professionals about their medication,” as noted in a press release. A survey released by the National Consumer League, the organization that developed Script Your Future, indicates that “patients who do not always take their medication as directed are less likely to have received a full explanation of the consequences of their condition, and are less convinced of the importance of adherence.” The Script Your Future campaign is targeting six regional areas with outreach activities and advertising, and more information is available at www.ScriptYourFuture.org. The campaign brings together “stakeholders in health care, business and government to offer practical tools for patients to help them better adhere to their medication, and to help health care professionals better communicate with patients.”