Medication adherence is an essential component of many therapeutic regimens in the management of acute and chronic conditions. Not taking medications as prescribed can take different forms: not redeeming prescriptions (i.e. non-initiating), issues with under- or overdosing, irregularity of medication taking and/or the occurrence of drug holidays (i.e. non-implementation). Patient can also discontinue treatment without advice of their clinician. Medication adherence is highly prevalent and precludes therapeutic effects; it has been shown to be associated with poor clinical outcomes as well as increased health care costs. Given its high prevalence, medication non-adherence is regarded as a major public health concern.

As part of the Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), a European collaborative action has been launched to join forces to address medication adherence in European health care systems “European Network to Advance Best practices & technoLogy on medication adherencE” (ENABLE) CA 19132. Switzerland is part of this COST action among 38 other European countries.