Walgreens integrates PatientsLikeMe drug data on its website

PatientsLikeMe, an online patient network, is helping Walgreens make it easier for customers to understand the effects their medications may have on them, PatientsLikeMe said Wednesday.

Through PatientsLikeMe, patients with chronic conditions can track their health, contribute data for research and connect with others. Anyone filling a prescription or researching a medication on Walgreens.com can see a snapshot of information provided by PatientsLikeMe about how the medication has affected others, as well as the medication's side effects.

“We want to help patients wherever they are, so they can be better informed about the treatments they’re taking and make more informed health decisions,” Michael Evers, executive vice president of marketing and patient advocacy at PatientsLikeMe, said. “We’re thrilled to be working with the nation’s largest drugstore chain. Our work with Walgreens will give their patients important insights from people taking both simple and complex medications. It can also help enrich our treatment data, should Walgreens patients decide to join our community.”
PatientsLikeMe is the first outside contributor to the Walgreens Health Dashboard. Likewise, the partnership marks the first time PatientsLikeMe has contributed its data to another company’s website.

“Our collaboration with PatientsLikeMe underscores the power of social support and shared experiences on a wellness journey,” Adam Pellegrini, vice president of digital health at Walgreens, said.