Introduction

Compliance is the degree to which a person takes prescribed drugs as directed.

Compliance with (adherence to) drug treatment is important. However, only about half the people who leave a doctor's office with a prescription take the drug as directed. Among the many reasons people give for not complying with drug treatment, forgetfulness is the most common. The key question then is: Why do people forget? Often, the psychologic mechanism of denial is at work. Having a disorder causes concern, and having to take a drug is a constant reminder of the disorder. Or, something about the treatment, such as possible side effects, may greatly concern the person, resulting in a reluctance to follow the plan.

See the sidebar Reasons for Not Complying With Drug Treatment.