Survey: Med synchronization programs improve adherence

A new national survey found that nearly 75% of patients enrolled in medication synchronization programs said the programs helped them improve their overall medication adherence.

The survey, announced by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), also found that eight out of 10 patients enrolled in such programs found them helpful in managing their refills.

“NCPA has made med sync programs such as Simplify My Meds a priority because they are truly a win-win-win situation for patients, payers, and pharmacists alike,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA. “These survey results and marketing tools will help put community pharmacists in a better position to sign up more patients for med sync programs for better health and less stress.”

Findings

Conducted in July 2014 by Langer Research Associates, the survey comprised random-sample telephone interviews with more than 1,000 ongoing medication users 40 years of age and older. The margin of error was 3.5.

The survey found:

·      Among patients participating in medication synchronization programs, 83% find them “extremely or very” helpful in managing their medication refills.

·      Of patients enrolled in synchronization programs, 74% said the programs help them improve their overall medication adherence.

·      Medication synchronization enrollees were 10% more likely to be “highly satisfied” with their pharmacy.

·      Among survey respondents who were not enrolled in medication synchronization programs, 50% said they were “very” or “somewhat” interested in the programs.

Star Ratings

“Three out of the five quality measures used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as part of a health plan’s Star Ratings are about adherence,” Hoey said. “To put it simply, community pharmacies that do a good job helping patients take their medications will be more likely to be included by health plans in their pharmacy networks.”

NCPA offers a promotional toolkit to help pharmacies recruit patients for medication synchronization programs. It includes a sample news release, a customizable letter to the editor, sample social media posts, telephone scripts to be used by pharmacy staff, and a Power Point presentation that can be used in community outreach.