Study Highlights High Level of Medication Non-Adherence

A new study has highlighted a significant gap in medication adherence, where patients with chronic diseases are failing to take drugs as prescribed despite having a strong understanding of their condition.

The research titled ‘Awareness, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Hypertensive Medication Adherence Among Patients Attending Health Centres in Kingston and St. Andrew,’ was conducted by General Practitioner, Dr. D. Malcolm Brewster.

It found that nearly 70 per cent of patients with hypertension and diabetes attending the Gordon Town and Windward Road health centres were not sticking to their medication regimen.
The study was presented at the 16th National Health Research Conference held in February 2026.

Providing details of the findings at a JIS Think Tank on March 19, Dr. Brewster said that the research was conducted among adults attending the two clinics and utilised interviewer-administered questionnaires to assess adherence and influencing factors.

“Nearly seven out of 10 patients were not taking their medications as prescribed… and that’s a very high proportion”, Dr. Brewster lamented, noting that contrary to common assumptions, the issue is not rooted in lack of knowledge.

“Most patients had high awareness of their illness… the issue is not lack of knowledge. The issue is that the knowledge is not translating into actions”, he pointed out.

“Medication adherence is not an informational problem, but a behavioural and a practical one”, he said.

Dr. Brewster highlighted one important finding, which is that patients with established daily routines, such as taking medication with meals, were more likely to adhere.

He said that adherence declined among those who stopped medication due to side effects, discontinued use when they felt better, and used herbal or traditional remedies alongside or instead of prescribed drugs.

The researcher noted that while herbal remedy use was associated with non-adherence, it was not an independent predictor.

“Just because you take herbal medicine, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to be non-adherent… there are some other factors that would need further investigation,” he said.

Dr. Brewster, in explaining the reason for conducting the research, told JIS News that it stemmed from his own experience with patients.

“In my clinical practice, every week, I work closely with patients who have hypertension and diabetes, and I’ve become increasingly aware of the gap between what we prescribe as physicians and what the patients actually do when they get home. That gap is what inspired this research,” he stated.

Dr. Brewster contended that the study emphasises the need for a shift in routine clinical care.

“Adherence needs to be addressed as a part of every clinical encounter… it should not be an afterthought”, he said.

He recommends that healthcare providers ask direct questions about medication use, side effects, and patient behaviours, support patients in building consistent medication routines, and integrate adherence discussions into every consultation.

“These are not complex suggestions. They are small and consistent changes that can be made… with practical implications”, he noted.