Contributor: Compliance Packaging Is Key for Improving High-risk Patient Medication Adherence
Medication adherence is crucial for managing chronic diseases, especially in complex, high-risk patients. Compliance packaging is a key tool for managing these populations.
As former US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop
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Medication nonadherence has both clinical and financial impacts. Across all patient populations, the overall cost burden of medication nonadherence has been estimated at
Compliance packaging is a low-cost, high impact way to help patients adhere to their recommended medications. Compliance packaging, such as blister packs and dosage strips, actively supports adherence with simplified organization, synchronized medication refills, enhanced access to medications, and streamlined management of complicated routines.
The Challenges of Medication Adherence for Chronically Ill MA Members
Medication adherence is strongly correlated with having a daily routine and strong support system to ensure members take their medications as instructed. When members are left on their own to manage 8 or 10 different medications every day, they often fall out of compliance.
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These issues are directly tied to higher costs and worse outcomes. For example, a recent study found a
For many of these individuals, the social determinants of health (SDOH) contribute significantly to these problems. Low health literacy levels, lack of access to transportation, insufficient funds to pay for medications, and other socioeconomic limitations contribute enormously to nonadherence.
MA plans are responsible for a large number of beneficiaries facing the dual threat of deeply rooted SDOH factors and multiple chronic conditions. According to 2018 data,
With so many vulnerable members, MA plans have a strong incentive to invest in medication adherence tools that can reduce costs and improve outcomes at scale, especially as the nation moves more deeply into the arena of value-based care.
The Role of Compliance Packaging in Medication Adherence
There is clearly an immense need for patients to better manage their chronic conditions with prescribed medications. Compliance packaging, also known as multimedication packaging, can close the gaps.
Blister packs and dosage strips with pills organized by date or time of day can easily streamline the management of medication routines.
Pharmacists can also synchronize medications so that members receive an appropriate supply of their drugs on a single “anchor date” instead of being forced to coordinate refills several times a month, sometimes with more than one pharmacy. Meanwhile, proactive outreach from pharmacists and care managers can ensure that members understand their regimens and have access to clinical and community resources that can help keep them on track with their overall health.
Compliance packs can even be hand delivered to members with a courier service, ensuring that individuals with daily living limitations or lack of access to transportation will always receive their medications on time.
The Multifaceted Benefits of Offering Compliance Packaging
Incorporating compliance packaging options for members with 8 or more prescriptions can bring swift positive results to members, caregivers, and MA plans alike.
In addition to relieving daily burdens on members and their family members, compliance packaging has been shown to raise adherence rates and potentially improve subsequent clinical outcomes.
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