Despite the overwhelming prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and certain types of cancer in the Black community studies show Blacks have a lower incidence of medication adherence.

A 2006 study by National Community Pharmacist Association found:

•49 percent of patients forget to take medication

•31 percent don’t fill their prescriptions

•24 percent take less than the dosage amount

•11 percent substituted over-the-counter medication for prescriptions

And a study in the The Journal of National Medicine Association showed Blacks adherence rates are 12 percent lower than the rest of the population.

“The burden of premature death is so high that this is a problem that needs to be fixed immediately,” said Dr. Stephen Thomas, executive director of the Center for Minority Health and Healthy Black Family Project.

Renee Alsberry is one of group of pharmacy school students at Duquesne University who is currently handing out surveys at local pharmacies, as well as pamphlets to try and educate patients on the importance of medication adherence.

“Ten percent of hospital admissions are due to patients not taking their medications,” Alsberry said.  

Taking multiple medications, the cost of prescription drugs, not having significant symptoms and side effects are some of the reasons Alsberry said some patients don’t take their medications.

Alsberry and her group of pharmaceutical majors, in conjunction with Dr. Monica Skomo a professor at Duquesne, plan on going to pharmacies in Braddock, North Versailles, Penn Hills and The Waterfront to hand out pamphlets about using your local pharmacist to combat medication adherence.

Still, Dr. Thomas said simply working with a pharmacist will not strongly affect the problem. He said a proactive approach to medication adherence by physicians, pharmacists and patients will be necessary to fully eradicate the issue.

“The problem is truly complex because many healthcare professions do not explain what a patient needs to do and don’t understand the life conditions African-American patients are juggling,” he said.

For the problem the Center for Minority Health has developed a set of “Ask Me 3” questions that every patient should stick to when going for a doctor’s appointment.

1. What is my main problem?

2. What do I need to do?

3. Why is it important for me to do it?

Dr. Thomas said it is also ideal, for elderly patients especially, to take a trusted friend or family member to doctor’s appointments. The Center is also offering cultural confidence training for doctor’s to better understand some of the life circumstances of their Black patients.

“It’s not about simply being politically correct. We can help you increase your confident in working with African-Americans,” he said.

Alsberry and Thomas agree that it is essential for Blacks to communicate with their physicians and pharmacists all the medications they are taking, including vitamins and meal supplements.

“Unlike white patients sometimes Blacks have to take multiple medicines for one set of symptoms or disease.  They could be having side effects,” Alsberry said.

The Center for Minority Health will be holding Brown Bag Days at local barbershops for patients to bring all of their medications in and learn how to adhere to prescriptions and when to simply ask for another prescription.  

To get a complete listing of the Brown Bag Days, including when and where they are held visit www.cmh.pitt.edu or call the Center at 412-624-5665.