Content about Compliance

January 8, 2013

Mobile app increased medication adherence to 81%, developer says

The makers of a new app say that it increased users' medication adherence rate to more than 80%.

HAIFA, Israel — The makers of a new app say that it increased users' medication adherence rate to more than 80%.

The MediSafe Project said Tuesday that users reported medication adherence rates of 81%, while the rate was 84.25% for patients using statins.

January 3, 2013

CVS Caremark-sponsored research examines impact of social support network on Rx adherence

A patient’s social support network has been associated with improved outcomes and healthier behaviors and now new research sponsored by CVS Caremark has found that practical social support is associated with improved medication adherence.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — A patient’s social support network has been associated with improved outcomes and healthier behaviors and now new research sponsored by CVS Caremark has found that practical social support is associated with improved medication adherence.

December 17, 2012

NACDS recognizes U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan on behalf of pharmacy patient care

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores recognized U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan for her continued leadership on behalf of pharmacy patient care.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Monday recognized U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) for her continued leadership on behalf of pharmacy patient care. Hagan, joined by seven U.S. Senate colleagues, sent a bipartisan letter of support for medication therapy management to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

December 11, 2012

Electronic prescribing comes full circle with automated refill authorizations

E-prescribing offers many well-known benefits to physicians, pharmacists and patients alike. Beyond the well-known patient benefits, real-time transactions with automated requests and responses promise to create efficiencies by speeding the medication ordering process, reducing or eliminating the back-and-forth communications between pharmacists and clinicians commonly associated with handwritten prescriptions.

November 30, 2012

The next blockbuster? It's called just taking drugs as prescribed

A new report shows that drug makers lose nearly $200 billion per year from medication nonadherence, illustrating that it's not just the healthcare system overall that loses when people don't take their medications properly.

This just goes to show the important role that pharmacy retailers have in helping to promote medication adherence by having pharmacists play an active role in patients' health care through services like medication therapy management.

November 29, 2012

NCPA releases progress report on medication adherence initiative

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday released Moving Forward on a Solid Foundation: Year One Progress Report, which examines the success of the association's strategic initiative Pharmacists Advancing Medication Adherence.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday released Moving Forward on a Solid Foundation: Year One Progress Report, which examines the success of the association's strategic initiative Pharmacists Advancing Medication Adherence.

November 28, 2012

Physicians Interactive and McKesson collaborate on electronic voucher program delivered to clinicians

Physicians Interactive and McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions on Tuesday announced a joint collaboration to deliver eCoupon, one of the industry’s first automated pharmaceutical voucher and coupon distribution solution for clinicians who use electronic health records and ePrescribing software.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Physicians Interactive and McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions on Tuesday announced a joint collaboration to deliver eCoupon, one of the industry’s first automated pharmaceutical voucher and coupon distribution solution for clinicians who use electronic health records and ePrescribing software.

November 27, 2012

Phone, mail reminders improve statin adherence, study finds

Automated phone and mail reminders increase the likelihood that patients with new prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering drugs will pick them up from the pharmacy, according to a new study.

PASADENA, Calif. — Automated phone and mail reminders increase the likelihood that patients with new prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering drugs will pick them up from the pharmacy, according to a new study.

Kaiser Permanente Southern California enrolled 5,216 patients and found that those receiving an automated reminder were 1.6 times more likely to fill prescriptions for statin drugs than those who didn't receive reminders. The study was published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine Monday.

November 26, 2012

Medication nonadherence costs drug makers $188 billion per year in U.S., report finds

When it comes to medication nonadherence, the most oftcited statistic illustrating its effect on the healthcare system is the New England Healthcare Institute's estimate that it costs the healthcare system $290 billion per year. But a new report shows how much drug makers lose as well.

NORWALK, Conn. — When it comes to medication non-adherence, the most oft-cited statistic illustrating its effect on the healthcare system is the New England Healthcare Institute's estimate that it costs the healthcare system $290 billion per year. But a new report shows how much drug makers lose as well.

November 7, 2012

Walgreens research: 90 day at retail generates cost savings and does not increase wastage

A new Walgreens study examining the impact of 90-day medication refills at community pharmacies compared to 30-day refills for Medicaid patients found that across four therapeutic categories, patients with 90-day refills had greater medication adherence and greater persistency, nominal wastage and more cost savings.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A new Walgreens study examining the impact of 90-day medication refills at community pharmacies compared to 30-day refills for Medicaid patients found that across four therapeutic categories, patients with 90-day refills had greater medication adherence and greater persistency, nominal wastage and more cost savings. The study, titled "Medication Days’ Supply, Adherence, Wastage and Cost Among Chronic Patients in Medicaid," was published in Medicare & Medicaid Research Review and released Wednesday.

November 5, 2012

Retailers’ new programs target nonadherence

Improving medication adherence in specialty pharmacy could be equivalent to introducing a new blockbuster drug. That’s how Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy president and CEO Phil Hagerman put it at Drug Store News’ Specialty Pharmacy Roundtable two years ago.  

Improving medication adherence in specialty pharmacy could be equivalent to introducing a new blockbuster drug. That’s how Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy president and CEO Phil Hagerman put it at Drug Store News’ Specialty Pharmacy Roundtable two years ago.  

October 25, 2012

NACDS applauds NEHI report demonstrating importance of medication adherence

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation on Thursday applauded a report illustrating the impact medication adherence can and should have on reducing hospital readmission rates, and the critical role community pharmacists play in coordinated care approaches to enhancing patient medication adherence.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation on Thursday applauded a report illustrating the impact medication adherence can and should have on reducing hospital readmission rates, and the critical role community pharmacists play in coordinated care approaches to enhancing patient medication adherence.

October 23, 2012

Cardinal Health offers Dispill-USA drug packaging

Cardinal Health has introduced a new multidose drug packaging system that it said would help pharmacy customers adhere to medication regimens, the company said Tuesday.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health has introduced a new multidose drug packaging system that it said would help pharmacy customers adhere to medication regimens, the company said Tuesday.

October 19, 2012

Improved adherence, med management can reduce hospital re-admissions, healthcare group says

Improving medication adherence may be the key to reducing hospital re-admission rates, according to a new issue brief by a health policy research organization.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Improving medication adherence may be the key to reducing hospital re-admission rates, according to a new issue brief by a health policy research organization.

October 19, 2012

WellTransitions couldn't be more timely with a well-vetted solution to reducing hospital re-admissions

WellTransitions could be couched as another way in which Walgreens is striving to create solutions that lower the cost of overall health care outside of the physical retail pharmacy space, because it is. WellTransitions also could be characterized as a program that will routinely chip away at the $25 billion associated with hospital re-admissions by having more prescriptions filled at the pharmacy counter, because it does. But the real impact of this news? The real clincher? Hospitals need retail pharmacy if they're going to focus on reducing re-admissions, eliminating unnecessary healthcare costs and avoiding those penalties.

And that's the direction Walgreens is headed. Most recently, the company added managed care vet Brad Fluegel as chief strategy officer, adding another talented expert to Walgreens chief Greg Wasson’s dream team, which he has described as the “perfect blend of internal, long-term talent” and “external expertise and talents” that is helping to accelerate a massive transformation in its business. (For exclusive coverage of all Walgreens' efforts, click here for the Sept. 24 DSN special report.)

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — WellTransitions could be couched as another way in which Walgreens is striving to create solutions that lower the cost of overall health care outside of the physical retail pharmacy space, because it is. WellTransitions also could be characterized as a program that will routinely chip away at the $25 billion associated with hospital re-admissions by having more prescriptions filled at the pharmacy counter, because it does. But the real impact of this news? The real clincher?

October 18, 2012

McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions honored for Lap-Band campaign

McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions earned top honors for patient compliance and adherence programs in both the 2012 Medical Marketing and Media Awards and the PM360 Trailblazer Awards, the company announced Thursday.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions earned top honors for patient compliance and adherence programs in both the 2012 Medical Marketing and Media Awards and the PM360 Trailblazer Awards, the company announced Thursday.

MPRS was honored with a Medical Marketing and Media Award for the company's Lap-Band Behavioral Call Campaign on behalf of Ogilvy Healthworld. The MM&M Awards are a premier industry event that annually recognizes creativity and marketing effectiveness in health care.

October 16, 2012

The essential value of HIEs in delivering patient-centered pharmacy care

Emerging multidisciplinary healthcare models, such as accountable care organizations and patient-centered medical homes, promise to elevate quality and lower costs by harnessing the power of provider, payer and patient collaboration. Often overlooked in the coordinated care equation, however, is the integral role pharmacists can play in delivering efficient and effective care.

October 16, 2012

Walgreens introduces WellTransitions, a coordinated care model that works in tandem with hospitals

Walgreens pharmacists are on the frontlines of a new transition of care program, WellTransitions, which brings hospitals and health systems together with Walgreens in a coordinated care model designed to reduce readmission rates and overall healthcare costs while improving patient health outcomes and medication adherence, Walgreens announced.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens pharmacists are on the frontlines of a new transition of care program, WellTransitions, which brings hospitals and health systems together with Walgreens in a coordinated care model designed to reduce readmission rates and overall healthcare costs while improving patient health outcomes and medication adherence, Walgreens announced Tuesday. The WellTransitions program is being rolled out as thousands of hospitals nationwide face possible penalties from Medicare for patient readmission rates that are too high, under a new law that took effect Oct.

October 12, 2012

E-prescribing: Patients want it

When given a choice, patients prefer to receive an electronic prescription if they receive a prescription from their physician, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. To be specific, 64% of respondents said they would choose an e-prescription when provided an option, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. How many patients are actually given a choice as to how they receive their prescription, and how many currently are receiving electronic prescriptions?

When given a choice, patients prefer to receive an electronic prescription if they receive a prescription from their physician, according to the most recent Patient Views infographic. To be specific, 64% of respondents said they would choose an e-prescription when provided an option, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. How many patients are actually given a choice as to how they receive their prescription, and how many currently are receiving electronic prescriptions?

October 11, 2012

Medicine-On-Time launches site to promote medication adherence system

A company that manufactures simplified packaging designed to increase medication adherence has launched a new website to promote the product.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — A company that manufactures simplified packaging designed to increase medication adherence has launched a new website to promote the product.

Medicine-On-Time announced the launch of a new website that connects patients to pharmacies that offer the packaging. The launch includes 250 pharmacies around the country, a number that the company expects to grow. The packaging system is geared toward patients taking multiple drugs and uses personalized pill cups labeled with the day, date and time to take them.

October 4, 2012

Pharmacy techs play front-line role in campaign to boost adherence rates

“Drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them.” Sounds simple enough. But that obvious truism, voiced by former U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop, fails to convince tens of millions of patients that they should take their prescription medicines through the full dosage regimen.

“Drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them.”

Sounds simple enough. But that obvious truism, voiced by former U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop, fails to convince tens of millions of patients that they should take their prescription medicines through the full dosage regimen. And in too many cases, patients aren’t even filling the script to begin with.

October 4, 2012

Walmart introduces new drug packaging

The Keystone Folding Box Co. has launched a pharmaceutical compliance packaging system that it said was environmentally sustainable, easy to use for elderly people and resistant to tampering by children.

NEWARK, N.J. — The Keystone Folding Box Co. has launched a pharmaceutical compliance packaging system that it said was environmentally sustainable, easy to use for elderly people and resistant to tampering by children.

The company announced Wednesday that its Ecoslide-RX would soon arrive at Walmart pharmacies.

"At Walmart, we are dedicated to quality patient care and have proven that adherence packaging assists in these endeavors," Walmart VP pharmacy merchandising Sandy Kinsey said.

September 28, 2012

Patients can't afford to be cheap on medication therapies

Sticker shock is often a major factor in any person's purchasing decisions, but while deciding to put off buying a new car might not have catastrophic consequences, not filling a prescription because it costs too much can.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Sticker shock is often a major factor in any person's purchasing decisions, but while deciding to put off buying a new car might not have catastrophic consequences, not filling a prescription because it costs too much can.

(THE NEWS: Pharmacists say cost is biggest barrier to Rx adherence. Click here to read the story.)

September 27, 2012

Among Illinois Medicaid patients, more than one-fifth of kids' prescriptions go unfilled, study finds

More than one-fifth of prescriptions given to children at clinics in Illinois were never filled, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — More than one-fifth of prescriptions given to children at clinics in Illinois were never filled, according to a new study.

September 27, 2012

CVS Caremark survey: Pharmacists say cost is biggest barrier to Rx adherence

In recognition of American Pharmacists Month in October, CVS Caremark released results from a new survey of CVS retail pharmacists, which underscored that cost remains a key barrier to medication adherence and reinforced the important role of the pharmacist in helping people take their chronic medications as directed.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — In recognition of American Pharmacists Month in October, CVS Caremark released results from a new survey of CVS retail pharmacists, which underscored that cost remains a key barrier to medication adherence and reinforced the important role of the pharmacist in helping people take their chronic medications as directed.