Findings published in current issue of American Journal of Managed
Care show adherence rates nearly 10 percent higher in patients who use
integrated workplace primary care and pharmacy services
Non-adherence to medication currently estimated to cost the U.S.
healthcare system $100 billion per year due to poorly controlled
conditions
A new study shows that patients who use workplace primary care and
pharmacy services have higher adherence rates to medications for chronic
conditions, suggesting that by investing in integrated workplace health
and pharmacy programs companies can realize health care savings while
also improving patient outcomes.
The findings, published in the current issue of the American Journal
of Managed Care, show that overall adherence to medication was
nearly 10 percent (9.72 percent) higher among patients treated in the
workplace than those treated in the community. The authors of the study
concluded that due to the negative impact on patients’ health and
significant costs associated with non-adherence, these results support
the concept of workplace health as a means to save “not only health care
dollars, but lives as well.”
“This study truly demonstrates the value of the workplace health care
model in addressing medication adherence – one of the most challenging
and costly obstacles faced by providers and payers of health care,” said
Dr. Sharon Frazee, an author of the study and vice president of health
research for Take Care Health Systems. “Having care accessibly located
at the worksite allows employees to build a trusted, face-to-face
relationship with both their clinicians and pharmacists, providing an
opportunity to engage in a dialogue about their condition and treatment
plan, and ultimately, promote patient adherence through education and
communication.”
Low rates of medication adherence are a growing issue for the country’s
health, recently referred to as “America’s other drug problem” by The
National Council on Patient Information and Education, and can
potentially result in serious negative health outcomes for patients.
