Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Pharmacy Packs Pill Perfectly, Bans Bulk Bottles
PrairieStone Pharmacy Introduces the Nation's First and Only Retail Drug Packaging Solution that Pre-Sorts Meds into Easy-to-Use Packets
PrairieStone Pharmacy's DailyMed(TM) is the first and only retail drug packaging solution that pre-sorts multiple prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and vitamins into easy-to-use single-dose packets. By eliminating the traditional pill bottle, DailyMed makes it easier for patients to take the right medications at the right time and better manage their health conditions. (Photo: PrairieStone Pharmacy)
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2006-- DailyMed(TM) Makes It Easier Than Ever for Patients and Caregivers to Ensure the Right Drug is Taken at the Right Time
In response to growing concerns and alarming statistics related to Americans' failure to follow prescription drug regimens, PrairieStone Pharmacy, the nation's most innovative retail pharmacy chain, today introduced DailyMed, the first and only retail drug packaging solution that pre-sorts multiple prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and vitamins into easy-to-use single-dose packets.
Prescription drugs continue to be the most cost-effective therapy available to improve quality of life and treat a significant number of both common and advanced ailments. But as Americans take more prescription drugs every day, it is becoming more difficult for many to take the right medications at the right time--especially with an aging population. In fact, failing to take prescription drugs as prescribed has become so rampant and well documented that it can be linked to 125,000 deaths in the U.S. last year alone, 10 percent of all hospital admissions, 23 percent of all nursing home admissions, $100 billion in direct health care costs, and $1.5 billion in lost patient earnings.
"There's a real health care crisis taking place all across America, and it's called non-compliance," said Marvin Richardson, R.Ph., president and CEO of PrairieStone Pharmacy. "DailyMed is the only retail drug packaging solution in the nation that addresses this crisis with an inexpensive, easy-to-use, and effective solution that pre-sorts a patient's medications into single dose packets. With DailyMed, we can finally say goodbye to all those pill bottles and those confusing pill sorters."
According to Richardson, the average American between the ages of 65 and 69 takes an estimated 14 different prescription medications each year. That number increases to 18 different prescriptions for Americans between the ages of 80 and 84. And according to the National Council on Patient Information and Education, the average number of annual prescriptions per elderly person is estimated to reach 38.5 by 2010.
"The problem isn't just non-compliance in and of itself," said Richardson. "The problem is what that non-compliance leads to--hospital admissions, nursing home admissions, increased health care costs, and even death. The problem is that no one is addressing medication mismanagement. The problem is a failure on the part of retail pharmacy as a whole to provide better patient outcomes. By simply changing how we package medications, PrairieStone Pharmacy is mitigating many of these problems and providing a long-awaited and life-changing solution."
The goal of DailyMed is to improve the lives of patients who use the dispensing system and the lives of their caregivers. It does this not only by making it easier for patients to take their medications and thereby better manage their health conditions, but also by allowing PrairieStone pharmacists to review their entire drug profile and identify drug interactions, lower cost alternatives, or duplicate therapies.
Nathan Synder has experienced the benefits of DailyMed first-hand. His grandparents were taking 17 prescriptions between them, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins. But Nathan noticed their health declining and soon realized they weren't taking all of their medications.
"It was very clear to me that I had to get involved. My grandparents had eight and nine different pill bottles to open every day--some pills had to be taken together, some had to be taken with food, some had to be taken one hour after another," said Nathan. "I couldn't even figure out what pills they needed to take when, so it's no wonder they couldn't. With DailyMed, all their medications were pre-sorted for them, so we didn't have to play guessing games anymore. It was such a relief for me to know that my grandparents were taking their medications correctly."
DailyMed is approved by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy and is available in most states by calling 1-800-973-1955. Patients in Minnesota can visit any PrairieStone Pharmacy located within Lunds Markets and Byerly's to sign up for DailyMed.
About PrairieStone Pharmacy
Founded in 2003, PrairieStone Pharmacy is one of the nation's fastest growing retail pharmacy chains. Offering a unique model that relies on state-of-the-art technology and automation, the company prides itself on placing its pharmacists closer to its customers as a way to offer exceptional customer service and care. With the launch of its patent-pending DailyMed solution, PrairieStone hopes to further extend its mission of improving retail pharmaceutical care. For more information on PrairieStone Pharmacy, visit www.PrairieStoneRx.com.
Founded in 2003, PrairieStone Pharmacy is one of the nation's fastest growing retail pharmacy chains. Offering a unique model that relies on state-of-the-art technology and automation, the company prides itself on placing its pharmacists closer to its customers as a way to offer exceptional customer service and care. With the launch of its patent-pending DailyMed solution, PrairieStone hopes to further extend its mission of improving retail pharmaceutical care. For more information on PrairieStone Pharmacy, visit www.PrairieStoneRx.com.
Contacts
Patty Gibbs & Company PR
Patty Gibbs, 651-653-7302
pattygibbsco@aol.com
Patty Gibbs & Company PR
Patty Gibbs, 651-653-7302
pattygibbsco@aol.com
# posted by (hris @ 4:49 PM 
