If you’re taking medication for high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol, skipping doses isn’t just a small mistake-it’s a serious risk. More than half of people with chronic conditions don’t take their meds as prescribed. That’s not laziness. It’s forgetfulness, cost, side effects, or just not understanding why it matters. The result? Higher hospital bills, worse health, and even early death. The good news? You can measure your own adherence-and fix it.
Adherence isn’t just about taking pills. It’s three things: initiation (did you start?), implementation (are you taking them right?), and persistence (did you keep going?). You might fill your prescription but still miss doses. Or you might stop after a week because you felt fine. That’s not adherence. That’s incomplete treatment.
You don’t need fancy devices or lab tests. Here’s how to track your own adherence using methods doctors actually use-just adapted for your daily life.
There’s no single perfect way. Electronic caps that log when you open your pill bottle? Accurate-but expensive and not practical for most people. Blood tests? Too invasive. Pharmacy refill data? Great for big-picture trends, but doesn’t tell you if you threw the pills away. Self-reporting? Everyone overestimates their adherence. Studies show people think they’re 90% compliant when they’re really at 60%.
The best approach? Use two or three of the methods above together. A pill diary + monthly count + MARS score gives you a real, honest picture. Don’t wait for your doctor to ask. Do it yourself.
If your checklist shows you’re missing doses regularly, don’t panic. But don’t ignore it either. Here’s what to do next:
Medication non-adherence costs the NHS an estimated £500 million a year in avoidable hospital visits. That’s money taken from cancer screenings, mental health services, and diabetes education. When you take your meds as prescribed, you’re not just protecting your health-you’re helping the system work better for everyone.
And it’s getting easier. New tech is coming: smart pill bottles that text you when you miss a dose, apps that sync with your EHR, and AI tools that predict who’s at risk before they even miss a pill. But none of it works if you don’t know where you stand right now.
Grab a pen. Open your pill bottle. Count what’s left. Answer the MARS-5 questions. Look up your last refill date. Do this now-not tomorrow. You don’t need permission. You don’t need a fancy app. You just need to know the truth.
Adherence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware. And awareness is the first step to change.
You’re taking your medication correctly if you’re following the exact dose, timing, and schedule your doctor prescribed-without skipping, delaying, or doubling up. Use a pill diary and monthly count to check. If your Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) is below 80%, or your MARS score is under 18, you’re likely missing doses. Don’t guess-track.
No. Many medications-like those for blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol-work silently. You won’t feel symptoms when they’re doing their job. Skipping doses lets your condition creep back. Even one missed day can raise your risk of complications. Take it as prescribed, even if you feel great.
Yes-but only partially. Pharmacy records show when you picked up your meds, not whether you took them. If you refill every 30 days on time, your PDC might be 100%, but you could still be tossing pills in the trash. Use refill data alongside a pill diary or MARS score for a full picture.
PDC (Proportion of Days Covered) is the gold standard for chronic meds. It only counts up to 100%-so if you refill early, extra pills don’t inflate your score. MPR (Medication Possession Ratio) can show over 100% because it counts all pills you’ve collected, even if you didn’t need them. PDC is more accurate and preferred by health systems like the NHS and Medicare.
Studies show that patients with PDC above 80% have significantly lower hospitalization rates, fewer complications, and better long-term outcomes. Below 80%, the risk of heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure jumps sharply. That’s why insurers and health plans use 80% as the benchmark-it’s the point where benefits start to drop off fast.
Yes. Many pharmacies in the UK offer free adherence counseling. Ask your pharmacist for a “medication review.” Your GP can also refer you to a clinical pharmacist who specializes in chronic disease management. There are also free apps like Medisafe and MyTherapy that send reminders and track your progress.
Don’t skip doses because of cost. Talk to your pharmacist or GP. In the UK, you can apply for a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC), which caps your annual cost. You may also qualify for the NHS Low Income Scheme. Many drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs. There are always options-just ask.
