Coalition targets poor medication adherence rates

Two out of three patients do not adhere to their care plans. In fact, adherence problems related to prescription medications is so widespread, they are costing the United States $100 billion a year in medication-related hospital admissions.

That’s the message from a newly formed coalition of medical, pharmacy, pharmaceutical, and other stakeholders resolved to reverse the trend.

The coalition, Prescriptions for a Healthy America, has enlisted multiple industry stakeholders to ramp up legislative and educational remedies to improve medication adherence rates.

Among groups and organizations jumping on board are the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Heart Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmologists, Easter Seals, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Consumers League, PhMRA, Merck, Astra-Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and CVS/Caremark.

Coalition activities will target elected officials and other key players to develop policies to help health plans, patients, employers, doctors, pharmacies, and other healthcare practitioners support patients’ medication adherence as a critical part of the treatment plan.

Specifically, the coalition is looking at care coordination and comprehensive medication management, quality measurement, and performance improvement, health information technology, patient/provider education and engagement, and research.

AAFP board member Rebecca Jaffe, MD, MPH, is a believer.

“I see the negative impact nonadherence has on patients each day. I also see the positive impact that adherence to treatment protocols has an the improved quality of life many individuals experience as a result.”