University of Pittsburgh Study Finds Point-of-Care Access to Generic Prescription Samples Improves Medication Initiation and Adherence Rates

SAN DIEGO, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New research presented today at the World Congress Summit to Improve Adherence and Enhance Patient Engagement by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, finds that a unique generic medication sampling program, the MedVantx MedStart™ Connect program, implemented in the primary care physicians' office, led to significantly increased patient initiation of new prescriptions (primary adherence) as well as continued use of the medications (secondary adherence), and could possibly lead to savings for health plans.

"Primary medication non-adherence is an under-addressed problem in health care.  The simple fact is that medications don't work if patients don't get them," said Janice Pringle, PhD, principal investigator and Director of the Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy.  "The results of this study show a substantial benefit of a unique adherence intervention that not only addresses primary non-adherence, but also proves to be of value over time in improving secondary adherence to medication."

The study, which was sponsored by MedVantx and independently conducted by Dr. Pringle and PERU, compared the prescription initiation and refill histories of a patient population who received in their doctors' offices an initial 30-day sample of generic medications for treatment of chronic diseases including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, to a group of patients receiving only electronic prescriptions.  All of the patients receiving the MedVantx samples were able to start therapy, while only an average of 60% of patients in the e-prescribing group went on to fill a prescription to initiate therapy. The  study also found that 73% of patients receiving a MedVantx sample went on to fill their first prescription to obtain a second month of therapy after finishing their 30-day sample. 

To determine the program's potential impact on secondary adherence rates, researchers analyzed  pharmacy claims data provided by health plans for filled prescriptions at 90, 180, and 365 days after the point of care generic sampling event. Over this time period, patients who received MedVantx samples continued to fill prescriptions for these medications at each time point, obtaining 53 more days of medication during the course of one year.  At each time point, the proportion of days covered (PDC) was also higher for the MedVantx point-of-care generic sample group, with a difference of 42% at 90 days, 26% at 180 days, and 15% at 365 days.  In addition, researchers found that the percentage of patients who were highly adherent (had medications 80% of the defined time frame or PDC80%) was also statistically significantly higher at each time point in the MedVantx sampled group versus the control group.

The researchers also sought to establish if the adherence achieved through the point of care generic sampling program resulted in reduced overall health care costs for those patients. They found results that were strongly suggestive of real cost savings, including an average overall health care cost reduction per sampled patient of $201-291 the year after sampling. 

"MedVantx is dedicated to eliminating gaps in primary medication non-adherence by ensuring patients get the proper medication in hand at the point-of-care and that they remain on that therapy over time through an integrated, convenient and cost-effective program," said Susan Hogue, RPh, MPM, Vice President of Managed Care Networks & Clinical Services.  "We have long believed that our program also reduces health care costs; this study suggests that this is indeed the case.  We want to be part of the solution for reducing the $290 billion in U.S. health care costs attributable to medication non-adherence."   

Co-authors of the study include Arnie Aldridge, PhD, of RTI International, and Shannon Kearney, MPH, CPH, and Jason Draper, MA, of the University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy, PERU.   

The research was funded by MedVantx, Inc., and conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy, Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU).

To view a copy of the study report, visit www.medvantx.com/products-services/medstart-connect. 

About MedVantx, Inc.

MedVantx is an innovative medication management and delivery company committed to streamlining access, reducing healthcare costs, increasing medication adherence, and enhancing patient satisfaction while improving patient quality of care and outcomes. 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.  The national MedVantx network has served over 4 million consumers through an integrated network including health plans, manufacturers and more than 3,900 prescribers in diverse care settings. 
Visit us at www.medvantx.com.

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

SOURCE MedVantx, Inc.