Family Health Network Joins Forces With Kerr Health To Address Medication Adherence

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Health Network is pleased to announce its participation in a program in partnership with Kerr Health, a subsidiary of the renowned regional pharmacy chain, Kerr Drug. Kerr Health will deploy Family Health Network's Connected for Life(SM) platform to an initial group of patients who require frequent interaction with a pharmacist to assist them with medication therapy management. By enabling direct interaction between pharmacists and patients via online communication, the program will give the patients a unique advantage for improving their clinical outcomes, improving overall health, and reducing their healthcare costs.

"Connected for Life(SM) is an innovative tool that directly addresses our desire to have greater pharmacist engagement with patients to reduce medication non-adherence. This technology will allow our pharmacists to provide face-to-face consults to patients in remote locations, as well as monitor patient health status and medication use collaboratively with the patients' other healthcare providers," said Kerr Health Executive Vice President Rebecca Chater.  "This is consistent with the mission of Kerr Health and a necessary area of focus in the ongoing effort to improve clinical and economic outcomes associated with medication use."

Kerr Health will utilize Family Health Network's technology to enable pharmacists to engage patients in their homes via video visits and other communications features within the Connected for Life(SM) technology platform.  Specific focus will be placed on impacting medication non-adherence, an issue that costs our society in excess of $100 billion per year.

"Due to their extensive knowledge of medications, pharmacists are crucial in the patient-centered model of health care delivery," said CEO of Family Health Network Harry Bailes.  "As community pharmacists take on more responsibility for patients' well-being, there is an enhanced opportunity for communication and collaboration between physicians, pharmacists and patients. At Family Health Network, we are developing solutions to facilitate this vital communication."

Kerr Pharmacists will work closely with participating physicians and other members of the care team. With positive results, this program will be extended to other locations and patient segments within Kerr.

Kerr is a national award-winning leader in medication therapy management (MTM).  Kerr pharmacists routinely provide MTM services beyond the walls of the pharmacy, either via face-to-face consults with patients, or as part of a phone-based program. By deploying the Connected for Life(SM) online communications platform, Kerr will further transform the traditional vision of the community pharmacist from someone who dispenses medications, into a frontline caregiver who is directly connected with both patients and other health care providers.

About Family Health Network

Family Health Network develops integrated technology solutions that connect patients with members of their care team, opening the door to improved communication and better health outcomes.  Family Health Network's Connected for Life(SM) online program enables health care providers and caregivers to remotely monitor, record, and track a patient's health status and medication use on a daily basis. By providing real-time information sharing with health care providers and other members of the care team, this low cost program empowers patients, relieves stress of caregivers, lowers health care costs, and improves quality of life.  Family Health Network's Connected for Life(SM) holds the promise to be the centerpiece of a next generation of patient-centered care. For more information about Family Health Network, please visit http://www.familyhealthnetwork.com/.

About Kerr Health

Kerr Health is a leading regional health care services provider focused on delivering exceptional value and clinical leadership through its three primary service lines: Specialty Pharmacy, Long-Term Care Pharmacy Services, and Care Management. As a subsidiary of Kerr Drug, Inc., one of the nation's leading and most respected names in the chain drug industry (2010 Drug Topics Chain of the Year), Kerr Health provides a broad and customizable offering of value-driven products and services to medical practices, patients, employer groups, long-term care facilities, and municipalities.

SOURCE Family Health Network