New Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Delivery Channel Mitigates Risk of Medication Non-Adherence Highlighted in JAMA Internal Medicine Study

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MedVantx, Inc., the company that created the first ever controlled access to generic samples in US physician offices, today highlighted it's MedStart Connect program as a solution to the problem  specified in a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.  In the study, researchers reported that changes in pill color that often occur during the prescription refill process significantly increase the odds of medication non-adherence.  The study suggests that consistency of appearance from one refill to the next could alleviate issues of confusion and non-adherence. 

MedStart Connect, a new direct-to-consumer prescription delivery channel, ensures medication appearance is consistent from the sample provided in the physician office through the fulfillment of prescriptions through mail order home delivery by partnering exclusively with quality manufacturers, such as Teva Pharmaceuticals, the world's largest generic manufacturer.  Patients participating in MedStart Connect receive the same medication—same look, same quality—every time, whether in sample form from the doctor's office or via MedStart Connect Home Delivery. 

"We have partnered with MedVantx because MedStart Connect aligns with our commitment to enhancing patient adherence and product quality," said Maureen Cavanaugh, Sr. Vice President, U.S. Generics Sales and Marketing, Teva Pharmaceuticals.

As reported in JAMA Internal Medicine, formerly known as Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers looked at refills of over 60,000 patients.  Changes in pill color from one refill to the next significantly increased the odds of non-persistence in taking medication.   

"Our MedStart Connect Program is the only program of its kind that can ensure patients receive medications with a consistent appearance throughout their initial therapy and refill stages.  If you can impact medication adherence in this way, ultimately you can positively impact quality and cost of care," said Rob Feeney, CEO, MedVantx.

About MedVantx, Inc.

MedVantx is an innovative medication management and delivery company committed to streamlining access, reducing costs and providing helpful information to benefit patients, physicians, health plans, employers and manufacturers. The MedStart Connect program provides for a fully-automated, integrated, point-of-care to consumer home delivery channel focused on increasing the quality and cost effectiveness of the last non-managed pharmaceutical channel – the physician office sample closet. MedStart Connect includes free initial therapy samples of prescription and over-the-counter medication at the point of care, a consumer helpline providing drug information, adherence management services, and convenient consumer home delivery through its mail order pharmacy.  MedVantx has served over 3.5 million consumers through an integrated network including health plans, manufacturers and more than 3,500 prescribers.  For additional information about MedVantx visit www.medvantx.com.

About Teva

Teva North America is a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd. In North America, Teva has locations in 13 states, District of Columbia, Canada and Puerto Rico and more than 9,000 employees. In fact, one in every seven prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. is a Teva product.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA), headquartered in Israel, is a leading global pharmaceutical company, committed to providing consumers with access to high-quality healthcare by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic, innovative and specialty products, as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The Company is the largest maker of generic pharmaceutical products, has a global product portfolio of more than 1,300 molecules and a direct presence in about 60 countries. The branded businesses focus on CNS, oncology, pain, respiratory and women's health therapeutic areas as well as biologics.

MedVantx Contact:
JD Haldeman
(858) 625-2990 ext. 130
[email protected]

SOURCE MedVantx, Inc.