In 2009 two tests were conducted to measure the Dose-Alert's impact on medication adherence. The categories chosen were hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, as both are chronic, asymptomatic conditions with traditionally low adherence rates.

Cholesterol was tested by Horizon BC/BS of NJ from February, 2009 to October 2009 with a test group of 2,100 patients and 300 equivalent control group members all taking a cholesterol product. Members in both test and control groups were selected at random with no selection made based on previous adherence patterns.

Members in the test group were mailed a Dose-Alert along with a letter from BC/BS introducing the Dose-Alert and focusing on the importance of adherence. Control group members did not receive the mailing. Test group members were not notified in advance or contacted post mailing.

Measurements were conducted at 6 months and 9 months post-mailing and data was based on how many members of each group were still refilling their prescriptions.

Results: After 6 months, 36.00% more members in the test group were still refilling their prescriptions than in the control group. After 9 months the figure was 37.85%.

Hypertension was tested by BC/BS of Kansas City in October, 2009 with test and control groups of 6,112 members each all taking a hypertension product. Members in both test and control groups were selected based on having previously being identified as non-adherent.

Members in the test group were mailed a Dose-Alert along with a letter from BC/BS introducing the Dose-Alert and focusing on the importance of adherence. Control group members did not receive the mailing. Test group members were not notified in advance but were surveyed by phone after the mailing.

Results: 12% of previously non-adherent members were now using the Dose-Alert and 100% of the 12% were fully compliant.  Before nearly half reported missing at least one pill a week.

If you’d like to see the actual tests, please contact us and we’ll be glad to send them to you.