The Challenge with Compliance

With 50% of consumers not taking medication as prescribed, medication compliance is a big problem

Pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies and healthcare systems are looking for solutions to improve compliance to therapies.  Meanwhile, healthcare consumers are looking to better understand their conditions, track aspects of their health and become informed partners in their care.   

With healthcare consumers connecting with their pharmacist more often than their family doctor, doesn't it makes sense to build solutions between pharmacists and patients to improve medication compliance?

Pharmaceutical companies are seeking solutions by partnering with the start-up world and providing investments for digital health solutions.   Most recently Leo Pharmaceuticals announced a $65M project for digital health innovations, joining the ranks of Pfizer, Bayer and J&J (and others) who are reaching out to the start-up community. 

Community pharmacy has also invested in innovative partnerships.  Pharmacy giants such as CVS and Walgreen’s are leading the way in providing digital solutions to help their prescription customers manage their medications.   In a recent interview CVS Chief Digital Officer, Brian Tilzer articulated the company’s vision to create a “connected” health experience that makes it radically easier for people to save time and money.  CVS is looking to play a major part in helping its pharmacy patients better manage their chronic conditions, by arming them with everything they need to manage their medications.

But compliance is not just a patient problem.

In the rush to create solutions, it's important for digital health companies to be mindful of regulatory compliance.  The resource intensity and time spent on ensuring compliance should be seen as both an investment and a critical success factor to finding sustainable digital health solutions.

The opportunities for improving health are exciting but, as Fast Company’s Christina Farr recently wrote, “the "move fast, break things" mentality that is fundamental to the success of consumer-tech companies doesn't fly in health care”.