Join the Adherence Conversation

Medication adherence is an ongoing and serious problem; according to the Center for Health Transformation, the annual cost of patients not taking their medicines as prescribed is nearly $300 billion, with approximately 125,000 patients dying each year due to poor adherence-that’s 342 people every day.

Improving adherence rates in the United States has been a focus of manufacturers, payers and providers for well over 10 years, yet poor adherence continues to persist. But now, with broader support for and focus on improved outcomes, will the right incentives finally be in place to make a notable shift in adherence rates?

Last October, Pharm Exec convened a Round Table discussion on the subject with expert stakeholders from the National Consumers League, the Midwest Business Group on Health, IPSOS Health, Merck, Aetna, and others. And last August, Pharm Exec ran an extensive article on adherence, exploring new theories and tactics for tackling the issue.

As part of the continuation of this ongoing conversation, the Center for Business Intelligence will be hosting its 11^th annual Patient Adherence Forum April 26-27 in Philadelphia. The conference will highlight how the changes of healthcare reform, technological innovation, and a patient-centered healthcare conversation can help biopharmaceutical manufactures improve adherence. Panels and discussions will explore new approaches to influencing patient behavior, showcase successful case studies, and provides actionable strategies to implement in adherence efforts.

Featured speakers at this year’s conference include:

• William H. Shrank, M.D., MSHS, Director, Rapid Cycle Evaluation Group, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service Innovation – providing the CMS opening keynote address;

• Sabrina LeBlanc, Vice President, Innovation and Program Development, Weight Watchers – providing the cross-industry keynote address;

• D. Stuart Sowder, Pharm.D., J.D., MBA, Vice President, External Medical Communications, Pfizer – 2011 Pharm Exec Emerging Leader; and

• Bruce Sherman, M.D., FCCP, FACOEM, Medical Director, Employers Health Coalition (and Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University) – providing physician perspective

Additionally, the conference will feature the 7^th Annual Strategic Patient Adherence Awards, which recognizes innovative adherence programs at various companies and organizations in various categories: payer/PBM, employer, manufacturer, pharmacy, and scientific. The winners will be announced at the SPA Awards Gala Luncheon on Thursday, April 26.

Attendees at this year’s Patient Adherence Forum can expect to set realistic expectations internally with qualitative benchmarking data and tested metrics; hear case studies examining how biopharmaceutical companies can engage patients, physicians, pharmacists, employers, and payers in adherence and persistency promoting practices; and take part in interactive panel discussions, working groups, and roundtables to stimulate collaboration and innovation. Please click here for more information and to register for this event.