Non-adherence to prescriptions is categorical construct. Non-persistence adds a time dimension to it

In a move to a more balanced doctor-patient relationship, and shared decision making, we have long moved from concepts of patient’s ‘compliance’ to ideas of ‘adherence’ and ‘concordance’ with/to prescription (For definition of the three labels, and their implications, see for example the 2005 Report for the National Co-ordinatingCentre for NHS Service Delivery and Organisation R & D).