NCPA, Arkansas Pharmacists Association, Pfizer sponsor nine-month medication adherence program

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — More than 75 locally-owned community pharmacies throughout Arkansas are enhancing patient care by participating in a unique nine-month medication adherence program sponsored by the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, National Community Pharmacists Association and Pfizer. 

 

The APA/NCPA/Pfizer Adherence Program is measuring the effectiveness of medication synchronization, which helps to improve patients’ adherence to their monthly maintenance medications by filling all  maintenance medications on the same day each month. In addition, the program includes frequent communications between the pharmacist and the patient to help to identify any problems with therapy, or other issues that arise such as a hospitalization, between filling cycles. 

 

Each participating pharmacy in Arkansas has committed to enrolling 100 patients in the synchronization program, using technology from software vendor Prescribe Wellness. Since the program began in May 2014, 5,000 patients have been enrolled.

 

At the conclusion of the APA/NCPA/Pfizer Adherence Program in February 2015, the adherence data will be analyzed for increases in adherence, decreases in health care costs and improved Medicare STAR ratings, the Arkansas Pharmacists Association reported.