Recent study indicated that nearly a quarter of people prescribed medication to prevent strokes and heart attacks, do not take their medicines. The study highlights the need of attention by doctors on regular intake of medicines by patients.  

The study was based on the data collected from poll of 472 patients registered with general practitioners. Data analysis indicated that women as compared to men stick to their medication schedules.

During study, 26% study subjects admitted that they either missed doses or did not take their prescribed medication at all. 29% of patients at a GP practice in the North-east of England failed to take their anti-clotting drugs on time.

23% study subjects were not taking statins on time, generally prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by lowering cholesterol. Only older patients and those on large numbers of drugs take their medicine regularly.

Pharmacist Wasim Baqir, from The Village Green Surgery, Sunderland concluded that simply prescribing a drug is not enough. Doctors and other members of the primary care team, such as pharmacists, need to work with patients so they understand the importance of taking their medicines in the right dose, at the right time.