The Apothecary Shops Incorporates Innovative Technology Into Patient Medication Reminders

PHOENIX, Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-iReach/ --  In an effort to further assist patients in taking their medication on time and on schedule, Apothecary Shop Wholesale, Inc. an affiliate of The Apothecary Shops Specialty Pharmacies, is distributing a novel medication adherence aid called GlowCap®, a wireless prescription bottle cap equipped with a tool that reminds patients to take their medication through sound and light signals.

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The GlowCap® is easy to use – patients simply plug in the light and begin to receive reminders the next day. Best of all, GlowCap® is FREE to qualifying patients.  In collaboration with pharmaceutical manufacturer Novartis and GlowCap manufacturer Vitality, Apothecary Shop Wholesale, Inc. is the nation's only specialty wholesaler in this GlowCap®pilot program.  The program is specifically designed for patients taking Tasigna® for CML, a type of leukemia, or Gleevec® for malignant stromal tumors.  

"Keeping patients on their medications is a significant problem in our country" said Eric Sredzinski, Pharm. D., Vice President, Clinical Affairs.  "At The Apothecary Shops, we are committed to finding and using the most-effective means possible to keep our patients on their medications.  That strategy underscores everything we do."

According to 2009 research by The Task Force for Medical Compliance, medication non-compliance leads to 3.5 million annual hospital admissions, or 1 in every 11 hospital patients.

GlowCap's® proprietary technology allows the patient to be automatically alerted at their dosage time via a flashing light in the GlowCap®, and should the dosage not be administered within two hours, the user's phone will ring with a recorded reminder.  If the recorded call is not successful in reminding the patient, a pharmacist will personally intervene with a call to the patient and practitioner. 

Automated monthly refill reminders also can ensure that the availability of medications is uninterrupted.  The Apothecary Shops had previously been using GlowCap®technology for medication prescribed to transplant patients.

"Forgetting to take medications is the number one reason for noncompliance," Sredzinski said.  "We believe The Apothecary Shops is more than a place to go to fill prescriptions.  We are committed to taking innovative, proactive steps to ensure the long-term health and well being of everyone we serve."

For more information about The Apothecary Shops, visit www.theapothecaryshop.com.

About The Apothecary Shop Wholesale, Inc.

The Apothecary Shop Wholesale is one of the foremost specialty wholesalers in oncology, infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, ophthalmology, fertility, pain management, women's health, and transplant-related medicines. Apothecary Shop Wholesale is affiliated with a national specialty pharmacy; The Apothecary Shops has provided individualized care and support to patients since 1996. The Apothecary Shops' clinical pharmacists and staff members are experts in managing complex disease states and providing compassionate care. The Apothecary Shops offer a nationwide specialty national distribution service to complement 16 physical locations. For more information, visit: www.theapothecaryshop.com

Media Contact: Jackie Wright Rainmaker Integrated, 480-361-4348, [email protected]

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SOURCE The Apothecary Shop Wholesale, Inc.