Bingham J, Arlington L, Madhat F, Michaud V, Turgeon J
Published: 6/25/2020
Abstract
The World Health Organization announced a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, in response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,1the cause of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The socioeconomic impact of the virus has led to a major economic crisis with worldwide record unemployment, lack of transportation, social isolation, and an overwhelming demand for specialized health care services. Health care providers have shifted their efforts to prioritize acute care, and coincidentally, some have been forced to close their businesses or furlough workers in response to state practice provisions.
The economic situation has forced many patients to make difficult decisions about which maintenance medications they will continue to take. Adherence, or even worse, self-discontinuation, may have also been affected as the pharmaceutical industry has been overwhelmed by increased demand.
More than half of patients already do not take their medications as prescribed because of costs.2 Medication adherence barriers can also include transportation.3 Unemployed patients who once could afford their copays are now compelled to prioritize other essential items over their health needs. Now more than ever, pharmacists are in a unique position to increase awareness about medication adherence and offer alternative patient solutions to prevent nonadherence.3
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