Walgreens study links pharmacy communication to patient adherence

A recent Walgreens study points to a connection between pharmacy communication and patient adherence.

In the study, it was found that individuals who were contacted by the pharmacy when medication refills were overdue were 23 percent more likely to adhere to the expiration of the medication within 14 days of the date of refill. It was also found that over a year of being contacted for late refills patients proved to be more responsible in refills.

"This research provides further evidence of the positive impact we can have through targeted initiatives, such as the late-to-refill program, to help make our patients healthier and happier," Harry Leider, chief medical officer for Walgreens, said.

The study also showed that Medicare Part D patients who have failed to be adherent in the past (though failing to refill three days before a refill date), were likely to be 3 percent more adherent if they were reminded to refill.

The study took account of over 735,000 with non-adherent patients.