Changing medication packages could help patients follow prescriptions, stud...( y it improves the chance that they wil...),Health

About 50 million Americans have chronic hypertension, and most that do are 65 or older. If left untreated, the disease can cause a whole host of health problems, including changes in the blood vessels in the back of the eye, heart attacks, kidney damage and stroke.

"There often aren't any symptoms that signal high blood pressure," Schneider said. "And medications like lisinopril that are given to treat the disease can have unpleasant side effects such as a dry, hacking cough, so adherence to treatment regimens is often poor."

The findings may also have important political ramifications.

"As the federal government develops policies for the new prescription drug benefit for older adults, there is a need to consider how these medications are distributed," Schneider said. "Although blister packs are slightly more expensive than a bottle, people often forget to take their bottled medications, or get confused on how to take them properly. Offering long-term medications in this type of packaging could ultimately save millions of dollars."

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Contact: Philip Schneider
Schneider.5@osu.edu
614-292-1514
Ohio State University
16-May-2005