Physicians Rank Rewards and Co-Pay Discounts Equally as Non-Adherence Solutions

NORWALK, Conn., Feb. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A newly released survey conducted by HealthPrize Technologies, an industry-leading medication adherence and digital patient engagement company, shows that physicians recognize medication adherence as an extremely important factor in clinical outcomes for patients with chronic conditions.

The survey focused on diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Survey results also showed that while co-pay discount programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies are important in promoting adherence, rewards programs rank equally in the minds of physicians.

"In ranking the importance of medication adherence to outcomes on a scale from one to ten, with ten being 'extremely important,' 96 percent of respondents put it at an eight or above," says Katrina Firlik, MD, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of HealthPrize. Dr. Firlik's full white paper report on the survey can be found here: https://healthprize.com/whitepapers/the-physicians-view-of-medication-nonadherence/

Despite the physicians' recognition of the importance of adherence, however, fewer than half include medication adherence counseling upon a new prescription. Counseling was more likely to be offered at follow up visits instead.

"This is concerning, especially given the high rates of primary nonadherence, or failure to fill a prescription even once, and given that patients are at greatest risk of nonpersistence, or quitting therapy altogether, within the first few months, Firlik explains.

Survey respondents were also asked about various interventions designed to improve adherence rates and improve clinical outcomes. While education ranked low on the list, the two solutions ranked highest were rewards (40%) and co-pay discounts (39%). Furthermore, a combined 72% of physicians responded that they would, or might, be more likely to prescribe a medication brand that offered an innovative adherence service over others in the same class, assuming similar cost and side effect profile.

"Pharmaceutical companies should take particular note of the nearly identical weighing of rewards and co-pay discounts in the minds of physicians. They sponsor co-pay discounts for the vast majority of branded medications, but very infrequently offer rewards programs," Dr. Firlik says. "Based on the results of our survey, it could be argued that rewards programs should be implemented as commonly as co-pay discount programs."

Read Dr. Firlik's full white paper, The Physician's View of Medication Non-Adherence here: https://healthprize.com/whitepapers/the-physicians-view-of-medication-nonadherence/

View an infographic outlining the HealthPrize survey results here: http://visual.ly/dog-my-meds

About HealthPrize

HealthPrize's Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) medication adherence and patient engagement platform provides an innovative approach to addressing the problem of medication non-adherence with an online and mobile-based program that is fun, educational and rewarding. The HealthPrize system leverages gaming dynamics, behavioral economics and proven concepts from consumer marketing to maximize engagement while also using education to strengthen the intrinsic motivation required for long-term persistence to prescribed medications. For more information, visit www.healthprize.com and follow us on Twitter at @HealthPrize.

Contact:
Karen Sackowitz
HealthPrize Technologies
w  203.957.3786
m  978.697.3845
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150217/175912-INFO

SOURCE HealthPrize Technologies

Related Links

http://www.healthprize.com