METHOD FOR IMPROVED ADHERENCE TO MEDICATION THERAPY

• US 20120271647A1
• Filed: 04/20/2011
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2011
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: CVS Pharmacy Incorporated (CVS Health Corporation)
• Original Assignee: CVS Pharmacy Incorporated (CVS Health Corporation)
• Inventors: Betses, Dimitri G., Sahni, Sidharth S., Cox, Christopher L., Ducharme, Timothy A.
• Application Number:
  US13/090,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20120271647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A method for improved adherence to a medication therapy by providing patient interventions at clinically relevant times is disclosed. A pharmacy receives and stores patient information and prescription information in one or more databases, and then fills a prescription for a patient based on the patient information. The pharmacy identifies a plurality of adherence interventions and provides a first-fill counseling session to the patient when the patient receives the filled prescription. The pharmacy also provides a first fill follow-up session and adherence outreach at clinically relevant times.

Claims

1. A method for managing medication adherence of a patient, comprising the steps of:

receiving patient information comprising patient name, telephone number, and prescription information;

storing the patient information in one or more databases;

filling a prescription for the patient based on the patient information;

identifying adherence interventions based on the patient information;

providing an in-person counseling session between the patient and a pharmacist when the patient receives the filled prescription;

placing a first telephone call to the patient after the patient receives the filled prescription;

placing a second telephone call to the patient prior to the day that the prescription is due for a refill; and

placing a third telephone call to the patient in the event the prescription is past due for a refill.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of having a pharmacist place an initial telephone call to the patient after the prescription is filled and before the patient receives the filled prescription.

3. The method of claim 2 where placing the initial telephone call to the patient is between three (3) and ten (10) days after the prescription is filled.

4. The method of claim 1 where placing the first telephone call is at a time that is dependent on the medication the patient is prescribed.

5. The method of claim 1 where the first telephone call to the patient is placed by a pharmacist.

6. The method of claim 1 where the first telephone call is placed by a pharmacy technician.

7. The method of claim 1 where placing the second telephone call is between three (3) to seven (7) days prior to the date the refill is due.

8. The method of claim 1 where the second telephone call is placed by a pharmacy technician.

9. The method of claim 1 where the second telephone call is placed by an interactive voice response system.

10. The method of claim 1 where placing the third telephone call is less than thirty (30) days after the prescription becomes past due for a refill.

11. The method of claim 1 where the third telephone call is placed by a pharmacist.