Connected technology solutions dramatically improve medication adherence

Royal Philips has announced new study results demonstrating how the use of a connected medication dispensing technology can greatly benefit patients with chronic conditions, helping them to better comply with long-term therapy.

Over the period of a year, user data from more than 1,300 patients in the Netherlands was analysed, showing 96% of patients using Philips Medido, a connected medication dispensing solution, were adhering to their medication schedule.

Data from the study also showed that patients using Medido stayed adherent to long-term therapy over time, showing little or no change in adherence over the course of the year.

Successful treatment with prescription medication requires consistent use over time. Studies have shown that during the treatment of chronic illnesses approximately 50% of patients do not adhere to their physician’s long-term therapy recommendations. While patients rely on their medications to keep them healthy and help them manage chronic conditions, complex medication schedules can often lead to mistakes, such as missed doses, incorrect amounts, or taking medications at the wrong time. Through a connected medication dispensing solution, patients living with chronic conditions can better manage their medication schedules, resulting in higher medication adherence and reduced costs of care.

Dr Nick Merritt, a GP and partner at Southview Surgery in Bromley said: "Adherence to medication is a huge concern to GPs in the UK. Patients can stop medicines for reasons such as side effects, forgetfulness, and pure non-compliance. This can lead to poor control of chronic disease, which leads to escalating demand for GP services.

There is also a financial cost to wasted medication prescribed and not taken or stockpiled by patients, estimated at up to £300m annually. We accept some of these are unpreventable, but any technology which monitors patients’ adherence in real time and allows monitoring of medication use can only be of benefit to treating chronic disease and prevent significant wastage within the NHS.”

Kimberly O’Loughlin, senior vice president and general manager of home monitoring at Philips, added: “By providing patients and caregivers with a solution that simplifies this part of the care process, they’re able to feel more independent and secure in their care, and feel more confident aging in the comfort of their own homes.”

The study looked into 881,000 medication moments of 1,379 patients in the Netherlands who on average took three doses a day. Key data and findings from the study include:

• 96% of patients using Medido had a medication adherence rate over the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard of 80%
• Patients who required two or more medication doses per day maintained an adherence rate at around 94% with Medido
• Medication adherence remained consistent over time, with no significant differences during the year-long study

In addition to improving medication adherence, connected technology solutions can have a significant economic impact. Earlier study findings conclude that an estimated costs saving of up to 40% per patient could be achieved for specific groups of patients when connected dispensing solutions are part of the patient’s regimen.

Philips Medido is an innovative home medication dispensing service designed to support chronically-ill patients and care providers. When the patient’s scheduled medication time arrives, the dispenser automatically reminds them, ensures that the correct medication is being released at the correct time and then releases and opens individual pouches according to the patient’s prescribed regimen. The solution monitors removing medication from the dispenser and remotely alerts nursing staff when medication is not taken from the device, helping to streamline the normally time-consuming task of medication management and allowing them to focus on additional care issues.