2011-11-14 20:13:30 - Want to improve medication adherence in patients? Make retail pharmacists part of the prescription, recommends new market research from the Healthcare Intelligence Network.

SEA GIRT, NJ, USA, November 14, 2011 --- The use of motivational interviewing, often by retail or community pharmacists, scored high on the list of tools to improve medication adherence levels, according to the second annual survey on medication adherence tactics by the Healthcare Intelligence Network.

68 percent of healthcare organizations have programs to improve medication compliance, about a 4 percent increase over 2010 levels, according to 162 healthcare companies responding to the September 2011 survey. Half of these programs include a retail pharmacist on medication adherence teams.

In addition to individuals with multiple comorbidities, taking multiple medications, or having a history of non-adherence, 2011 initiatives programs are more closely targeting individuals challenged by the costs of medications. Also, 16

percent are looking closely at populations with diagnosable mental illness. More results from the survey are available in "2011 Trends in Medication Adherence: More Help from Retail Pharmacists," a complimentary downloadable HIN white paper.

Download this white paper on improving medication adherence and compliance at: www.hin.com/cgi-local/link/news/pl.cgi?medadhbm11.

NEWS FACTS:

HIN’s white paper, "2011 Trends in Medication Adherence: More Help from Retail Pharmacists," summarizes September 2011 responses from 162 health plans, hospitals, physician practices and others on:

* Percentage of organizations with existing programs and plans to implement programs to improve medication adherence levels;

* Targeted clinical conditions and health behaviors for medication adherence programs;

* Health professional with primary responsibility for improving medication adherence;

* Common program elements and technologies;

* Program results and ROI;

And much more.

Download this white paper on improving medication adherence and compliance at: www.hin.com/cgi-local/link/news/pl.cgi?medadhbm11.

QUOTE ATTRIBUTABLE TO MELANIE MATTHEWS, HIN EXECUTIVE VP AND COO:

"Non-adherence to prescribed medication regimens is closely associated with avoidable utilization of hospitals and emergency rooms, especially among the elderly. Of note in this year's survey is the increased role and responsibilities of the retail pharmacist to bring their customers into compliance --- even as far as coming into the physician practice or assisting with home visits. We expect this trend to expand in the year to come."

Please contact Patricia Donovan to arrange an interview or to obtain additional quotes.

About the Healthcare Intelligence Network --- HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 449-4463, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit www.hin.com.