Patient Compliance: 85 Percent of Prescriptions Never Refilled

DURHAM, N.C. -- Patient compliance is a growing issue -- 20 percent of new prescriptions go unfilled, while up to 85 percent of prescriptions never get refilled. According to a new report from Cutting Edge Information, the leading factor for non-compliance is a breakdown in communication between patients and physicians. The new report discusses how pharmaceutical companies are dealing with patient compliance to reduce the industry's $77 billion excess costs from unfilled prescriptions.

"Pharmaceutical Patient Compliance and Disease Management," available at http://www.pharmadiseasemanagement.com/ , shows how real companies develop customer-focused programs for patients and other consumers. The study contains more than 50 metrics and business practices from top companies including Pfizer, Merck, Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis and Eli Lilly.

"The non-compliance rates are unacceptable, and pose risks to all people involved," says senior analyst Eric Bolesh. "Unfilled prescriptions result in major health risks for patients, and cause pharmaceutical companies to lose big money. Cutting Edge Information's new report shows drug companies how to implement drug management tools and improve non-compliance and customer lifetime value."

"Patient Compliance, Disease Management and Consumer Outreach" showcases metrics and practices in the following areas:

* Effective disease management tools

* Physicians' online habits

* Underserved customer populations

* Technology platforms highlighting CRM and lifetime customer  value programs
* Cultural shifts at pharma and non-pharma companies

Source: Cutting Edge Information