“A Disconnect in the Process and Understanding of Prescription Medications”

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About the Author

Matthew White is currently an undergraduate in the Biochemistry Department at Saint Mary’s College of California. He is an aspiring physician with interests in both clinical medicine and biomedical research.

Contents

Introduction

Literature Review

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Introduction

In a country where about 70% of the population takes some form of prescription medication, issues and topics relating to the world of pharmaceuticals should be common knowledge (Mayo Clinic). Today, issues relating to high medication costs, the influences of big business, and drug regulations impact millions of patients who are prescribed medication (Wu).  In addition to these issues, many patients could be susceptible to the potential risks and effects of medications due to the lack of a more complete understanding of their prescription drugs (Prescription Labels – Consumer Reports Health).  In an attempt to mitigate this misunderstanding, prescription medications come with industry-developed and FDA-approved materials, such as medication guides, which are designed to be read by a patient prior to using the medication.  Moreover, these medication guides provide instructions surrounding the specific dosing administration to decrease the chances of serious side effects associated with using the medication, present the potential health risks that could contribute to one’s decision to take the medication, or highlight the benefit this medication has towards the patient’s well-being, and the necessity for proper compliance (Wolf et al., “A Critical Review”). 

While previous studies have determined the readability and suitability of medication guides as well as explored the communication between physicians and patients, few have connected the two in regard to the overall effect they have on a patient’s understanding of their prescribed medication (Britten et al.; Wolf et al., “Usability of FDA-Approved Medication Guides”).  Pharmaceutical representatives often play a substantial role in influencing a physician’s understanding of a medication, but it is questionable whether enough information is then conveyed to the patient regarding the medication they are being prescribed (Lexchin 664).  Without a general knowledge of the medications they are taking, patients are unaware of the effects and potential risks the medication may impose.  While it may be true, defining patients as being “unaware” does not directly associate to the literal sense of them being incognizant of the medication they are taking.  This idea of patients being “unaware” relates more to the idea of them being incognizant of why they are being prescribed certain medicine.  With a doctor being potentially manipulated by a pharmaceutical representative to push a certain medication, along with a patient’s possible aversion to medicine that is not discussed, the medication the patient is prescribed may not be the most beneficial for their particular illness or case (Lexchin 666; Britten et al. 1497).

My study, as discussed in this article, was conducted to see if patients understand their prescribed medication and the effects of using them, through communication with their physician and the use of patient information leaflets (Medication Guides) that come with the medication.  This research was of particular interest to me as I am studying to become a physician and majoring in biochemistry at a small liberal arts college.