Forty (40%) of low-income adults failed to fill a prescription in the last year, according to a recent study, “Pharmaceutical Patient Compliance and Disease Management,” from Cutting Edge Information (http://www.PharmaDiseaseManagement.com). Restrictive costs and lack of information have driven these underserved customers to ignore prescriptions.

Today, about 17 million Medicare members do not have any prescription coverage.  Many of these individuals are senior citizens who have difficulty meeting the cost of their medical care and simply do not treat their illnesses.

To solve this compliance issue, leading pharmaceutical companies have initiated a number of patient aid programs to help these patients obtain certain benefits.  Novartis, for example, has been on the forefront of the Medicare savings program and is now a member of the Together Rx Program, which allows uninsured patients to purchase any Novartis medicines for a $12 monthly fee. 

GlaxoSmithKline and Merck also launched patient-assistance programs offering discounts to qualified individuals.  Pfizer, on the other hand, is reaching out to Medicare patients who are not managing their health care well.  Other companies are attempting to manage diseases through sponsored government programs.     

A primary focus of these programs involves addressing the growing and widespread concerns over rising drug costs.  Most pharmaceutical companies feel threatened by the looming price controls being discussed in Congress.

Nevertheless, these outreach programs benefit a variety of stakeholder groups, in addition to pharmaceutical companies.  “Reaching out to low-income consumers allows companies to form positive emotional bonds with patients, their family members and caretakers, doctors, advocacy groups, and investors focused on social responsibility,” said Eric Bolesh, senior analyst at Cutting Edge Information.

 “Pharmaceutical Patient Compliance and Disease Management,” available at http://www.PharmaDiseaseManagement.com, a report by Cutting Edge Information, explores how real companies develop customer-focused programs for patients and other consumers.  Major pharmaceutical companies are implementing such strategies to maximize lifetime customer value and ensure continued growth.  The report thoroughly covers patient compliance issues and solutions, disease management, and customer data management.

For more information on this report or to learn about other research being conducted by Cutting Edge Information, contact Diana Borja at diana_borja@cuttingedgeinfo.com or 919-433-0219. 

 
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