Small step big impact on patient compliance?
Many of you may already know about a technology I just learned about, but I was thoroughly intrigued with the possible impact it might have on patient compliance, so I thought Id share this quiet step-in-the-right-direction with you just in case you missed it.
The technology is based on an old invention, but its certainly being applied in a new and intriguing way prescription drug vending machines.
A local news channel in McAlester, Oklahoma not known as a hotbed of cutting edge innovation by any means reports that some Okies are getting their prescription meds in vending machines placed at their doctors offices in hopes of heading off the 20-30% of prescriptions never filled because of inconvenience. The McAlester urgent care clinic is the first facility in Oklahoma to offer the Instymed machine to its patients.
The machine resembles an ATM, but instead of dispensing cash, it fills prescriptions written to the patients at the clinic within just a few minutes of their visit to the doctor. The vending-style machine can hold about 50 different types of common medications and while not designed to take the place of traditional pharmacies, offers a unique level of convenience particularly in rural areas where pharmacies are less abundant and unlikely to be open at off hours.
The clinic's director says the machine has been most appealing to the computer-savvy younger generation, but with assistance, even the clinics older patients are giving the technology a try.
The physician simply enters a prescription electronically and then patients enter a special code and share their birth date and insurance information via a touch screen, pay for the prescription and receive their medication.
One busy mother said the prescription medication vending machine offers the kind of convenience that makes filling a prescription infinitely more bearable than the hassle of dragging a sick child through Wal-Mart to the pharmacy for a more traditional prescription refill.
The machines makers say it offers accuracy and security, including computer driven triple checking that the correct drug is being dispensed and electronic monitoring of the machine to make it more theft proof.
It sure sounds like machines like the Instymed are a step in the right direction toward helping patients unlikely to fill their prescriptions because of inconvenience get off on the right foot. Its a simple, but possibly monumental innovation to help patients become compliant with their doctors therapy orders.
Definitely something for pharma for keep its eye on