© Pint of Science, 2025. All rights reserved.
Tonight, we explore the hidden challenges behind the frontline of healthcare. Discover why accurate tracking of medication use is more complex than it seems and how patient data fuels life-saving research. Join the debate on improving health while protecting privacy - because what we know (and what we don’t) can change lives!
Are you taking your tablets? Uncovering the hidden world of medication adherence.
Dr Guy Taylor
(Post-Doctoral researcher, REACH, Newcastle University)
Half of people with a long-term illness don't take their medications as prescribed. From occasionally forgetting a pill, to stopping medications entirely because of side-effects, non-adherence can harm patients’ health and costs the NHS billions. But how do we know if patients are taking their medication? Tracking medication usage is surprisingly complex. Just like telling the dentist you are regularly flossing, patients often overreport their medication use to doctors. Join us to explore why the simple question 'Are you taking your tablets?' is one of healthcare's most important puzzles.

Your health, Your data: How research uses your data to shape the future
Lara Forster
(Research Assistant, REACH, Newcastle University)
We’ve all been there - sat in a doctor’s office, answering what may seem like endless questions. But do you ever think about the staggering amount of information the NHS has on you and the rest of the UK population? Many life-saving medical discoveries would not have been possible without your data. However, this information is very personal and sensitive, so how can it be shared safely with researchers, and should it be sold to companies? Join us as we help you to understand how your information is used to power vital research for a healthier future.

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