What is the NowPatient Medication Reminders Service?
The NowPatient Medication Reminders Service sends automated, personalised alerts to remind you when it’s time to take your medication. It is free for all registered NowPatient users. It is especially helpful if you take multiple medicines, have complex dosing schedules, or find it hard to remember when each dose is due.
What is the Medication Adherence Score and Graph?
Medication reminder data feeds into NowPatient’s proprietary Medication Adherence Scoring system, which updates based on how consistently you take your doses. Your score is displayed on the Medication Adherence Graph, helping your doctor review your adherence patterns and adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Is the Medication Reminders Service free?
Yes. The Medication Reminders Service and the Medication Adherence Score are both free for all registered NowPatient users.
Who is the Medication Reminders Service most useful for?
The service is particularly useful if you:
Take multiple medicines and find it difficult to remember when each dose is due
Have a complex or non-standard dosing schedule
Want a carer, family member, or healthcare professional to be kept informed about your medication adherence
Where do I find the Medication Reminders Service in my account?
Both the Medication Reminders Service Card and the Medication Adherence Graph Card are located in the ‘Medication Coach’ section of your account homepage. NowPatient services are accessed using Service Cards, each of which has an options menu for navigating that service.
Why does medication adherence matter?
Non-adherence to prescription medications is a major public health problem, leading to over $100 billion in avoidable hospitalisations and 89,000 premature deaths annually. Taking your medications correctly and at the right time is key to achieving your therapeutic goals and getting the best results from your treatment. Poor adherence leads to reduced clinical benefit and generates significant waste.
How do I set up a medication reminder?
Navigate to the Medication Reminders Service Card in the ‘Medication Coach’ section of your account homepage, then follow these steps:
Click ‘Add Reminder’ from the options menu on the Medication Reminders Service Card
Search for your medication, or enter a custom name for non-prescription items like vitamins or supplements
Indicate whether it’s for short-term use — if yes, add the start and end dates
Set the dose frequency, number of units, and the times you need to take each dose
Add a Reminder Buddy — someone who can receive SMS or email notifications when a dose is taken, missed, or both, depending on your preferences
To manage or edit reminders at any time, select ‘View Active Reminders’ from the options menu on the Service Card
Can I set reminders for non-prescription items like vitamins or supplements?
Yes. When setting up a new reminder, you can enter a custom freeform name for any non-prescription item — including vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter treatments — that does not appear in the medication search.
Can I use reminders for a short-term course of medication?
Yes. When adding your medication, you will be asked whether the treatment is time-limited. If it is, you can select the start date and end date of the course. Reminders will be active for that period and will automatically stop once the end date is reached.
Can I set different dosing times for different medications?
Yes. Each reminder is configured individually. You set the dose frequency, number of units, and specific times for each medication separately, so you can manage even a complex multi-medication schedule with precision.
How do I manage or edit my reminders after setting them up?
Select ‘View Active Reminders’ from the options menu on the Medication Reminders Service Card. From there you can view, edit, and manage all your active reminders.
How will I receive my medication reminder alerts?
Before each scheduled dose, you will receive an in-app or push notification. If you receive a push notification, you will be presented with two options: ‘Dose Taken’ or ‘Dose Missed’. Select the one that applies to log your response and keep your adherence record accurate.
What is a Reminder Buddy?
A Reminder Buddy is a person you designate to receive notifications about your medication adherence. During setup, you choose whether your Reminder Buddy is notified when a dose is taken, missed, or both.
Your Reminder Buddy will be notified via SMS or email based on the preferences you set. This is particularly helpful if you are supported by a carer, family member, or healthcare professional who helps you manage your medications.
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you log a missed dose and have set up a Reminder Buddy, they will be notified via SMS or email based on the notification preferences you configured during setup. What you should do medically when you miss a dose depends on the specific medication — see the guidance links below:
Does my Reminder Buddy need a NowPatient account?
No. Your Reminder Buddy receives notifications via SMS or email, so they do not need a NowPatient account to stay informed about your medication adherence.
What is the Medication Adherence Score?
The NowPatient Medication Adherence Score is a proprietary scoring system that gives you a visual and numerical indication of how well you are taking your medication as prescribed and on time. Reminder data feeds automatically into the score, which updates each time you log a dose.
How is the Adherence Score calculated?
The score is calculated as the percentage of doses taken against the total number of doses prescribed. In more detail:
The score ranges from 0 to 100. The closer you are to 100, the more consistently you are adhering to your prescribed regimen
If you take more than one medication, the score is aggregated across all your medications
It is weighted by the number of medications being monitored and the number of days data has been collected per medication
You can also view the score for each individual medication or non-prescription item separately
Does ignoring a reminder alert affect my Adherence Score?
No. Ignored reminder alerts are not used in the calculation. Only ‘Dose Taken’ and ‘Dose Missed’ responses affect your score.
Where can I view my Adherence Score?
Navigate to the Medication Adherence Graph Card in the ‘Medication Coach’ section of your account homepage. Use the options menu on the card to filter scores across all your reminders or view individual medication scores. A progress chart logs your scores over time so you and your clinician can track how your adherence is changing.
Can I track my adherence progress over time?
Yes. The Medication Adherence Graph Card includes a progress chart that logs your scores over time, giving both you and your clinician a clear picture of your adherence trends and any improvements you have made.
Why is the Medication Adherence Score useful for my clinician?
The Adherence Score gives your clinician a window into your behaviour outside the clinic. It enables:
Improved treatment outcomes. Doctors can see whether you are taking your medication as prescribed, which is essential for treatment to be effective.
Informed decision-making. If a treatment is not working, the score helps determine whether the issue is the medication itself or the way it is being taken.
Early intervention. NowPatient can identify non-adherence early and intervene with education and support. Your doctor could change your treatment plan — for example, by prescribing once-daily long-acting formulations.
Personalised care. The score helps doctors tailor follow-ups and adjust treatments based on your behaviour and challenges.
Reduced healthcare costs. Improved adherence reduces hospitalisations and complications, lowering costs for both you and the wider health system.
Regulatory and quality metrics. Adherence data contributes to quality-of-care metrics and can help health systems meet performance targets.
Should I share my Adherence Score with my doctor?
Yes, where possible. Your Adherence Score can help your clinician understand your overall health profile and adherence habits, enabling more effective and proactive care. A consistently low score, for example, might prompt your doctor to consider prescribing a formulation that is easier for you to take consistently.