Therapeutic adherence: we can´t do it alone

Why do many patients not take their medications correctly? Are we properly explaining the effects of treatments and the way in which they should be taken? Do we inform patients of the possible side effects of certain therapies? Do we sufficiently emphasize the consequences on their health of stopping a treatment? Do we share information with the other agents of the drug chain? Do we send uniform messages so as to not confuse the patient? Do we have the patients' opinion to be sure that they are conscious of why, how, and until when they have to continue their treatments, and what they can and cannot expect of their treatments? All of these, and many others, are questions that we should ask ourselves to find a solution to situation that becomes more worrisome every day: the lack of adherence to therapy has become a tangible reality, and it is currently one of the main challenges of the healthcare system to working properly.