Mail-order pharmacies may help type 2 diabetics control their symptoms
There are many sources a person with type 2 diabetes can turn to for help controlling their condition. Increasingly, this may include online and mail-order pharmacies. These providers may offer several advantages over traditional drug stores that help a person with diabetes manage their condition.
A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Economics found that diabetic patients on Medicare actually stick to their medications as prescribed when they utilize mail-order pharmacies, compared to individuals who use more standard retail locations.
Medication adherence - the degree to which a patient follows their doctor's instructions - is a major problem among diabetics. Due to the fact that the disease requires such frequent testing and medicating, patients can become fatigued and neglect to measure their blood sugar or take their pills.
In the study, researchers surveyed Medicare patients about how closely they followed their doctor's instructions for self-care. The results showed that 49.7 percent of those who used mail-order pharmacies had high rates of medication adherence, compared to 42.8 percent of those who shopped at retail locations.
The researchers who conducted the study said that the findings have important implications for diabetics, as anything that helps them adhere more closely to their prescribed treatments could drastically improve their condition.
"Medication adherence is a multi-faceted problem that requires a multi-faceted approach," said Brian K. Solow, MD, chief medical officer at OptumRx, the health information technology services company that conducted the study. "Our study provides convincing evidence that mail-order pharmacy would be one way to help improve adherence for patients with chronic diseases."
The data collected by the study could not indicate any specific reasons why medication adherence would be higher among diabetics who use mail-order pharmacies, but the researchers suggested that certain facts of online retailers may explain the benefits. These sources often provide automatic refill options that help patients stay fully supplied. Additionally, they generally have around-the-clock support features from which patients can get advice.
Tools like these may help individuals with type 2 diabetes deal with the constant testing and treatment required by their condition.
A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Economics found that diabetic patients on Medicare actually stick to their medications as prescribed when they utilize mail-order pharmacies, compared to individuals who use more standard retail locations.
Medication adherence - the degree to which a patient follows their doctor's instructions - is a major problem among diabetics. Due to the fact that the disease requires such frequent testing and medicating, patients can become fatigued and neglect to measure their blood sugar or take their pills.
In the study, researchers surveyed Medicare patients about how closely they followed their doctor's instructions for self-care. The results showed that 49.7 percent of those who used mail-order pharmacies had high rates of medication adherence, compared to 42.8 percent of those who shopped at retail locations.
The researchers who conducted the study said that the findings have important implications for diabetics, as anything that helps them adhere more closely to their prescribed treatments could drastically improve their condition.
"Medication adherence is a multi-faceted problem that requires a multi-faceted approach," said Brian K. Solow, MD, chief medical officer at OptumRx, the health information technology services company that conducted the study. "Our study provides convincing evidence that mail-order pharmacy would be one way to help improve adherence for patients with chronic diseases."
The data collected by the study could not indicate any specific reasons why medication adherence would be higher among diabetics who use mail-order pharmacies, but the researchers suggested that certain facts of online retailers may explain the benefits. These sources often provide automatic refill options that help patients stay fully supplied. Additionally, they generally have around-the-clock support features from which patients can get advice.
Tools like these may help individuals with type 2 diabetes deal with the constant testing and treatment required by their condition.
First published on: August 12, 2011
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