Responsible medication use
Together for Responsible Medication Use
Inappropriate use of medications can cause treatment to fail. And more commonly, improper use leads to hospitalizations, deaths, environmental damage and premium increases in healthcare. That's why we provide instruction at the counter and hold medication talks.
Medicine Hotline
Since 2004, patients have been able to share their experiences with medicines through the Medicine Hotline. In recent years, some 35,000 reports have been received. Almost half of these were about side effects. About 8% concerned practical matters, which directly affect medication safety. For example, thick eye drops that reduce the effect of treatment or medications that patients do not take because of a high additional payment. In addition, medication strips also cause problems, resulting in medications not being taken or not being taken enough. The foul taste of medications can also hinder compliance. Finally, supply problems regularly prove to be an obstacle to proper treatment.
Report side effects or experiences
Does your medicine work very well or not at all? Are you suffering from a side effect? Or did something not go well with the use of the medicine? Report your experiences to us at the front desk. You can also report to the Meldpunt Medicijnen.
The Meldpunt Medicijnen collects experiences with medicines and works together with the Lareb, the Dutch Side Effects Center. The aim is to give medicine users insight into their medicine use. Side effects are recognized more quickly and medicine users give each other tips.
.Reliance
Reliance is the extent to which you, the patient, carry out the treatment as agreed with the health care provider. Therapy adherence is important because it ensures better results from the therapy used and also reduces healthcare costs. Many patients consciously or unconsciously deviate from the treatment agreed upon with the healthcare provider. There are several reasons for this. Sometimes people forget. That's why we have the medicine roll in the pharmacy, for example. Do you have multiple medications and is the intake schedule difficult? Then this roll can be a godsend. This roll helps to take the right amount of medicine on time. If the doctor gives permission, the health insurance company reimburses this medicine roll.
When does your deductible apply and when do you have to pay extra?
Do you pick up a medication at the pharmacy? Then it will usually be reimbursed by your health insurer (after your deductible has been filled up).
Medicine Review
Misuse of medication is more common in people who take more than five medications. That's why the Public Health Inspection requires the pharmacy to conduct a monitoring interview with you. This can be done at the pharmacy or in your home.
Drug deliverability
Sometimes your drug is not available. And that can lead to unpleasant situations. We have to deal with major medicine shortages in the Netherlands. We explain why.
Our tips for responsible medication use
- Be alert to side effects of medications, report them to us.
- Are there problems with administering the medication daily? Ask us for the medication roll.
- Avoid surprises at the counter: check which medications you will be reimbursed for and which you will not.
- Are you taking more than five medications? Then ask for a medication consultation.
- Let us inform you well about the alternative medicine in case of delivery problems.
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