Before smart medication. In the past, various alternative treatment methods were used by society to protect human health and maintain body balance. In the 21st century, modern medicine continues to develop multiple diagnostic and treatment methods with the same purpose. Medications are a crucial part of diagnosis and treatment, but there are many points to consider regarding their use. One of the most important points to pay attention to is the practice of smart medication use.
What is Smart Medication?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of all medications are improperly prescribed, obtained, or sold. Additionally, half of the current patients do not use their medications correctly, and one-third of the world’s population lacks access to essential medications. Smart medication refers to drugs that are appropriate for the diagnosis made by doctors, suited to the patient’s age and clinical history, used at the correct dose and for the correct duration, slowing the disease’s progression with proper use, accelerating recovery, and reducing healthcare costs.
What is Smart Medication Use?
The 1985 World Health Organization (WHO) meeting is considered the beginning of efforts related to the rational use of medication. According to the World Health Organization, rational medication use is defined as “providing medications suitable for patients’ clinical conditions, in doses their bodies require, for the necessary duration, at the lowest possible cost.”
Rational medication use can also be defined as the practice of using the correct medication in the necessary doses and times, at the most affordable price possible, to prevent the development of disease factors, control existing disease, and treat the illness.
The process for rational medication use proceeds as follows: The individual exhibits symptoms of illness and consults a doctor. The doctor diagnoses the disease, prescribes a medication suitable for the patient’s clinical and personal characteristics, and provides the necessary information. The patient obtains the medication through a pharmacy, learns about the correct duration and dose for medication use, and completes the treatment plan by following the provided information.
Principles of Smart Medication Use
There are eight fundamental principles established regarding smart medication use. These eight principles aim to ensure that the treatment method is determined correctly, that medications are prepared properly, and that the safety of patients and medications is ensured. The eight core principles are as follows:
- Right patient: Correct diagnosis of the disease is one of the most critical steps in treatment. Occasionally, due to communication breakdowns, patients may receive someone else’s treatment. Such communication breakdowns may arise from the patient, doctor, pharmacist, patient relatives, or caregiver. Issues like mixed-up prescriptions, mixed patient files, or medications taken by the wrong person can occur.
- Right medication: Medications are among the most essential tools in combating disease. Medications for disease or symptoms must always be determined by a doctor. Even if patients’ complaints are similar, using medications based on recommendations can have highly risky results. Additionally, it should be verified that the medication in the box matches the intended one.
- Right dose: The difference between a medicine and poison is the dose; thus, medications not used at correct doses can act as poisons. The dose varies from person to person, so it must be determined by doctors. The dose applied in treatment may vary depending on the individual, the course of the disease, health history, and body mass index.
- Right route: Information provided to the patient should be detailed and understandable. Avoiding professional terminology enhances understandability. Inadequate information can lead to irrational medication use.
- Right time: Doctors and pharmacists provide patients with explanatory information on the frequency of medication times to ensure the most effective treatment and to avoid side effects, and patients should use their medications following these instructions.
- Right form: Medications are produced in various forms to ensure correct doses during application. Sometimes, due to age or illness, patients cannot use tablet and capsule formulations. In such cases, to achieve the expected effect, medications in syrup, ointment, cream, suppository, injection, or inhaler form can be preferred.
- Right response: Health professionals should be thoroughly aware of the potential effects and side effects of medications. Patients should be informed about interactions between the medications they use and food or other medications.
- Right documentation: It is crucial for health personnel, patients, and patient relatives to keep medical records complete and accurate. Accurate documentation is particularly important in cases of chronic illness or continuous medication use.
Irrational Medication Use
Medications, although used to protect and treat human health, can lead to side effects when used irrationally. Due to the chemical compounds in medications, they can interact with other drugs or food, causing unwanted problems. Irrational uses arise when a person does not take the medication as recommended by healthcare personnel or when healthcare personnel provide inadequate information. In other words, irrational medication use is a serious problem that can negatively affect both a person’s health and finances.
Situations that may cause irrational medication use can be listed as follows:
- The patient miscommunicating or incompletely explaining their problem,
- Incorrect diagnosis,
- Incorrect treatment,
- Errors in medication selection or dose adjustment,
- Prescription errors,
- Lack of communication and information between the patient and healthcare personnel.
Problems that irrational medication use can cause include:
- A decrease in patient adherence (the patient’s compliance with the treatment plan),
- Complications arising from improper injection use due to non-sterile conditions,
- Unnecessary demands due to excessive medication use,
- Decreased medication stocks and difficulty accessing medication,
- Resistance development to antibiotics and other drug groups,
- Ineffective treatment and, consequently, mistrust in medical science,
- Increased use of expensive medications,
- Increase in toxic effects,
- Interactions between medications,
- Increased side effects.
Smart Medication Use in Cancer Treatment
Cancer diseases are among the most significant causes of death globally. Various treatment methods are researched to prevent cancer development and progression. Targeted treatment through smart medications is among these methods. Smart medications work to prevent the growth and development or spread of cancer cells. They may initiate programmed cell death (apoptosis) or make cancer cells more sensitive to the immune system.
How Long Should Smart Medication Be Used?
Smart medications are developed for the successful application of molecularly targeted treatment. The use of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors as smart medications in cancer treatment began after the discovery of the importance of EGFR in treatment.
Another question patients and their relatives frequently ask is, “How long should smart medication be used?” However, there is no clear answer to this question. The duration of use varies depending on the patient, disease type, severity, and stage. Treatment schedules and durations should be determined by doctors.
What Are the Side Effects of Smart Medication?
Protecting health is one of an individual’s most fundamental rights. For this reason, raising public awareness about smart medication use can be considered a responsibility of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, caregivers, and other healthcare personnel. By carefully following the prescribed dose, usage frequency, and duration of medications, learning about possible interactions and side effects, and avoiding medications without expert advice, you can support your health and contribute to the community’s awareness of rational medication use.