Many Pills, Many Not Taken

Wall Street Journal Online, October 10, 2011

BEI Commentary: This article highlights one of the benefits of EHRs and eprescribing, namely the ability to track patient compliance with medications.  Non-compliance hurts patients and increases costs.  By using technology, compliance can be increased, which is a good thing.

When it comes to medicine, as many as half of Americans don’t stick to their regimens. They fail to fill about 20% to 30% of prescriptions written by doctors, don’t take drugs as directed, and don’t refill medications when they run out.

Now, health-care providers have new strategies to increase medication adherence, as concerns rise about health risks and the high costs of treating noncompliant patients who have chronic illnesses. Read More