Prescribed a medication? Here’s why it's so important to follow your doctor’s instructions

Millions of prescriptions are filled in this country every year, but according to recent numbers from the Canadian Pharmacists Association, 30 per cent of Canadians say they stopped taking medication early. One in four say they didn't fill a prescription—or took less medication than prescribed.Health professionals in Canada want to change this.So, why don't people take medications as prescribed by their doctor or pharmacist?According to Pharmacist Nilesh Joshi, there are a few reasons.

• People feel like they no longer need the meds
• Misunderstanding the need for medication
• Forgetting to refill

This is why it's really important that Canadians are supported with the health advice and services that pharmacists can provide to improve medication use and their adherence.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE MEDS AS PRESCRIBED

Here's an example. Many of us have been prescribed an antibiotic to treat an infection. Sometimes, you start to feel better after a few days, and you might think I don’t need to continue taking this antibiotic anymore. And so misuse of antibiotics could lead to resistance, which is of growing concern to health care providers everywhere. In the case of being treated for an infection, the type of antibiotic and the length of the course is based on best evidence and feeling better doesn’t always mean the infection has completely gone. So it's always best to take your medications as prescribed to achieve the best health outcomes, and if you're thinking about stopping early, speak with your doctor or pharmacist to get their advice.Watch the video clip above for more of Nilesh's advice.