By Domenic Chindamo – Pharmacist, Lygon Everyday Chemist, Brunswick East

Why good medicines only work when taken correctly - and how Lygon Everyday Chemist can help keep you on track.

For more than four decades behind the pharmacy counter, one thing has remained my biggest frustration - and my biggest mission:

Medicines don’t work unless you take them > at the right dose, the right time, and the right way.

Poor medication compliance (or adherence) is linked with worsening health, avoidable hospitalisations, treatment failure, and unnecessary side-effects.

But the good news? Most medication mistakes are preventable with the right systems, support, and personalised pharmacy care.

Here is your Top 20 Medication Compliance Checklist - for yourself, or for someone you love.

1. Book a MedsCheck (Medication Review)

If you take 5 or more prescription medicines, this is essential.

Our pharmacists review your medicines, interactions, timing, side-effects, food considerations, storage, and practical tips to simplify everything.

Annual MedsCheck recommended for all multi-med patients.

2. Use a Dosage Administration Aid (DAA) – Webster Pack / Medisystem Pack

One of the strongest evidence-based ways to improve adherence.

• Clear, easy-to-open daily packs
• Reduce missed doses and double-dosing
• Ideal for ageing parents, busy adults, NDIS clients

Studies show DAAs improve compliance by up to 35–40% and reduce medicine-related hospital admissions.

3. Let Us Pack It for You (Professional DAA Service)

We don’t just sell pill organisers.

We professionally pack your weekly Webster Pack in-pharmacy, with pharmacist checking, quality assurance, and real-time updates for med changes.

Total peace of mind.

4. Use CareMode in MedAdvisor

Perfect for carers and families. With consent, you can:

• See a loved one’s medication list
• Order their prescriptions
• Track adherence
• Set reminders

This alone transforms medication safety for elderly parents or vulnerable family members.

5. Activate Your Active Script Link (MySL)

This gives you a live digital list of all your prescriptions - even those not dispensed yet.

Never lose a script again, never forget what’s due.

We activate it for you in seconds.

6. Use the Lygon Everyday Chemist App

Our app links to your My Health Record and helps with:

• Medication lists
• Repeat reminders
• Script ordering
• Pickup scheduling and notifications

Compliance becomes automatic.

7. Use Phone Reminders or Smart Watches

Simple but powerful.

Set alarms for timed medicines: antibiotics, cholesterol tablets, blood pressure medicines, diabetes medications, thyroid medicines, etc.

8. Link Medicines to a Daily Routine

“After breakfast”, “with dinner”, “before brushing teeth”.

Replacing random timing with a habit loop increases adherence dramatically.

9. Keep Medicines Visible (but Safe)

Out of sight = out of mind.

Designated areas (e.g., kitchen bench medication station) improve consistency - as long as it’s child-safe.

10. Ask Us About Food Interactions

Timing matters:

• Thyroxine = empty stomach
• Statins = at night
• Metformin = with food
• Some antibiotics = avoid calcium/iron

We tailor advice to your exact medication combination.

11. Avoid Pill Splitting Unless Advised

Incorrectly splitting tablets can alter doses or release profiles.

We’ll tell you which are safe to cut and which are not.

12. Understand Why You’re Taking Each Medicine

When you understand the purpose, adherence increases automatically.

We explain this clearly during MedsCheck or anytime you ask.

13. Have a Written Medication Plan

Ideal for complex regimens.

We create customised plans for:

• Diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Asthma/COPD
• Mental health
• Pain management

These plans dramatically reduce confusion.

14. Keep a Current Medication List

Essential for doctors, hospital visits, travel, and emergencies.

We can print or sync this for you instantly.

15. Ask Us About Deprescribing Options

Sometimes people take medicines they no longer need.

We work with your GP to simplify your regimen safely.

16. Manage Side Effects Early

Most people stop medicines because of side-effects that were preventable or manageable.

Talk to us early — don’t wait until things get worse.

17. Use Pill Boxes for Short Courses

For antibiotics, eye drops, or pain medicines - short-term organisers help you finish the course properly.

18. Clean Up “Medicine Clutter” at Home

Old, expired, or doubled-up medicines lead to mistakes.

Bring them in - we dispose of them safely.

19. Set Up Carer or Family Support

Even simple check-ins improve adherence.

MedAdvisor CareMode makes this easy and secure.

20. Talk to Us Anytime - We’re Here for Good

Our pharmacists are experts in medication compliance, safety, and simplifying complex regimens.

If you or a loved one needs extra support,

• Book a MedsCheck
• Ask about Webster Packs
• Let’s build your customised medication plan

You don’t have to do this alone. We genuinely want to improve your health outcomes - every day.

BONUS: What We Commonly Discover in MedsChecks

From decades of experience:

• People taking medicines at the wrong time
• Double-dosing because of similar packaging
• Missing interactions (food / alcohol / OTC / supplements)
• Stopping medicines too early
• Medicines that could be simplified
• Medicines that could be deprescribed
• Expired scripts accidentally continued
• Poor inhaler technique
• Incorrect insulin timing

A MedsCheck fixes these instantly.

Why Compliance Matters (In Real Numbers)

• Up to 50% of Australians do not take medicines as prescribed
• Non-adherence contributes to 10% of all hospital admissions
• Proper use of DAAs improves adherence by 35–40%
• Medication-related problems cost Australia billions annually, much of it preventable

Need Help? Talk to Us.

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we focus on education, service, integrity and excellence - and we are genuinely Here for Good, every day.

Let’s improve your medication routine and protect your long-term health.

References & Trusted Sources

• PSA – Medication Adherence Guidelines
• TGA Consumer Medicine Information
• Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
• Don’t Rush to Crush Handbook
• E-MIMS & MIMS Consumer
• Royal Children’s Hospital Clinical Guidelines
• NPS MedicineWise
• My Health Record / Active Script Link
• MedAdvisor Care Mode Documentation
• AIHW – Medication Adherence Data
• WHO Adherence to Long-Term Therapies