InnovationRx Launches Medication Adherence Awareness Campaign In California

Main Category: Compliance
Article Date: 07 Oct 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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InnovationRx, a wholly owned subsidiary of Innovation Group (LSE: TiG), today launched a medication adherence awareness campaign targeting pharmacists and patients in California. The campaign, a pilot for a nationwide effort, aims to provide pharmacists with resources that will help their patients to achieve medication adherence and improve health. InnovationRx is collaborating with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Women's Health (FDA OWH), and Pharmacists Planning Service, Inc. (PPSI) for this campaign.

Medication non-adherence is a costly and prevalent problem in the United States. As part of Pharmacy/Medication Adherence Awareness Month, InnovationRx and its partners will raise awareness of the consequences of non-adherence and showcase programs that are available to help patients simplify their medication regimen and build reminder systems. Arming pharmacists with high quality information and resources helps them to effectively counsel patients on the importance of medication adherence, strengthens the relationship between pharmacists and their patients, improves patient health and increases customer loyalty.

"Pharmacists play an important role in advocating for a patient's health and medication adherence is a critical topic, including the over and under utilization of medication, that should be regularly discussed with patients when dispensing medications," said Dr. Paul Lofholm, independent pharmacy owner and president of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA). "Patients can optimize their health through the appropriate use of medication, and pharmacists are uniquely positioned and encouraged to help patients understand the value of their medication regimen and to follow their doctors instructions."

The medication adherence awareness campaign also offers Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, provided by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). InnovationRx and its partners also have designed a free, accredited continuing educational course titled "America's Other Drug Problem: Non-Adherence" that is available to all interested pharmacists. Pharmacists that demonstrate competency in the course will receive one CME credit.

Typical reasons for medication non-adherence are the fear of side effects or not understanding the importance of taking the medication. Often, cash-strapped patients skip their pills or take half doses to reduce medication costs.

"As the economy forces some people to skimp on healthcare to save money, it is more important than ever to educate patients about the health risks associated with medication non-adherence," said Sean Teare, president, InnovationRx. "With an estimated 125,000 yearly deaths in the United States caused by medication non-adherence, it is imperative consumers have resources available to help them comply with their doctor recommended disease management and medication regimens."

InnovationRx provides a comprehensive medication adherence service that targets all demographics, age groups, disease states and includes a combination of private, convenient access to live pharmacists, self assessments, customized intervention plans, reminders, and medication education.

About InnovationRx

Based in Newton, Massachusetts, InnovationRx, a wholly owned subsidiary of Innovation Group (LSE: TiG), a $250 million global company, offers a comprehensive prescription management and medication adherence service dedicated to helping patients organize, track and understand their prescription medications. Developed in partnership with Northeastern University's School of Pharmacy, InnovationRx is the only clinically and behaviorally-based service to produce a customized plan of intervention to help patients stay on track with their medicine.

InnovationRx