How Can Innovative Uses of Technology be Harnessed to Improve Medication Adherence?

Hayden B Bosworth

Expert Rev Pharmacoeconomics Outcomes Res. 2012;12(2):133-135.

Abstract and Introduction

Abstract

"Studies have shown consistently that 20–30% of medication prescriptions are never filled, and that on average 50% of medications for chronic disease are not taken as prescribed, despite evidence that medical therapy prevents death and improves quality of life."

Introduction

Technology will be a powerful tool to address one of the most significant public health problems – medication nonadherence. Poor medication adherence is prevalent and dramatically effects individual and population-level health. Nonadherence has been estimated to cost the US healthcare system US$100 billion annually in direct costs.^[1] Studies have shown consistently that 20–30% of medication prescriptions are never filled, and that on average 50% of medications for chronic disease are not taken as prescribed,^[2] despite evidence that medical therapy prevents death and improves quality of life.^[3–5] There has been growing interest in leveraging technology, whether it be mHealth, interactive voice response (IVR) or electronic medical records, to improve medication adherence.

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Next Section

Abstract and Introduction
mHealth Devices & Medication Adherence
IVR & Medication Adherence
Electronic Health Records & Medication Adherence
References

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