Every year, a large number of patients forgo obtaining their medications because they cannot afford the out-of-pocket expense. As a result, they experience worsening of conditions, avoidable ER visits, increased hospitalizations, reduced quality of life, and sometimes even death. [1]
Medmonk enables pharmacists provide financial assistance to patients who are unable to afford their medications. The result is fewer hospitalizations, improved treatment outcomes, higher quality of life and ultimately lower healthcare costs.
Research has found a direct correlation between non-adherence and poor health outcomes, and an estimated 125,000 deaths per year occur as a direct result of non-adherence. [3] For instance, the risk of poor clinical outcomes (including hospitalization, re-hospitalization, and mortality) is 5.4 times higher for non-adherent patients with uncontrolled hypertension than it is for adherent patients. [2]
Data suggests that adherent patients are much less likely to incur avoidable medical costs; for example, adherent patients with congestive heart failure can save $7,823 each year; those with high blood pressure, $3,908; those with high cholesterol, $1,258; and those with diabetes, $3,776. [6] On the whole, non-adherence has been shown to result in $100 billion each year in excess hospitalizations alone. [4] [5]
One-third to one-half of all patients in the United States do not take their medications as prescribed.
Only 15% to 20% of all prescriptions are refilled as prescribed, while only 25% to 30% are taken properly.
Poor adherence is a widespread public health issue that has reached “crisis proportions...”
A recent study at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center found that rates of adherence increased from 61.2% to 96.9% when patients were provided enhanced pharmacy care (standardized medication education, regular follow-ups and medications dispensed in time-specific packs).
The study concluded “Pharmacist intervention led to increases in medication adherence and clinically meaningful improvements in outcomes, whereas discontinuation of the program was associated with decreased medication adherence and persistence.”
Source: Roebuck MC, Liberman JN, Gemmill-Toyama M, Brennan TA. Medication adherence leads to lower health care use and costs despite increased drug spending. Health Affairs (Millwood). January 2011.