DrFirst, Inc. Acquires AdherenceRx, LLC | DrFirst

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) February 14, 2011
DrFirst.com Inc., the nation’s leading e-prescribing software company, announced today its acquisition of AdherenceRx, LLC, a move that forms DrFirst’s new Patient Innovation division. The addition of AdherenceRx’s behavioral health coaching and medication adherence solutions make DrFirst the first e-prescribing company to also offer tools that improve patient outcomes by minimizing gaps in care and patient non-adherence to medical treatment. For health plans, this approach reduces the incidence of failed drug therapy, a major driver behind skyrocketing health care costs.

Non-adherence to medication, particularly by patients with chronic diseases, costs the United States health care industry $290 billion per year in preventable spending, according to research conducted by the New England Health Institute. The Institute further states that leveraging electronic health information technologies is critical to solve this problem and save more lives.

Research clearly demonstrates that patients simply do not take their medications as prescribed, resulting in escalating healthcare costs and thousands of lost lives every year. DrFirst’s new Patient Innovation division provides the electronic tools, health coaching, and patient support that physician practices and health plans need to reduce non-adherence. Specifically, the tools will close the “information and communication gap” between health care provider visits.

“While printing educational brochures for patients is a common practice for physicians using electronic systems, it’s not enough to have a serious impact on adherence,” said G. Cameron Deemer, President of DrFirst. “Our acquisition of AdherenceRx is targeted at real change, at providing a comprehensive approach to patient communication and behavior that results in meaningful adherence to prescribed therapies.”

The new Patient Innovation division offers evidence-based solutions that are tailored to prescribed medications and patient needs. Some key features include:

Patient health coaching: Patients who need “live” support are provided dedicated health coaches to communicate with via phone, email and SMS text.

Medication e-reminders: Patients who have a tendency to forget their physician visits or to take their medications as prescribed can receive automated reminders to their phone, email or mobile device.

Patient education, incentives, and caregiver support: Tactics proven to better support patients in their medication regimen.

Scaled to practice size: A choice of solutions to help health care practices of all sizes offer life and money-saving patient adherence tactics.

DrFirst’s Patient Innovation division will be led by Chris Cresswell, former President and CEO of AdherenceRx. Chris is a pioneer in launching companies and tools that use evidence-based technologies to drive better patient health outcomes.

“The acquisition of AdherenceRx further strengthens our commitment to putting doctors first, all of whom want positive patient outcomes,” stated G. Cameron Deemer, DrFirst President. “The new Patient Innovation division provides practical tools that help doctors address patient non-adherence between visits.”

In addition to medical practices, markets for these solutions include health care plan providers and pharmaceutical companies seeking to offer physicians practical tools to reduce lives lost and billions of dollars in preventable health care spending every year.

Meet DrFirst’s Patient Innovation team at HIMSS, Booth # 442. Members of the media and others interested in a one-on-one discussion about the new Patient Innovation division are encouraged to meet with Gary Steier, SVP, Business Development. Please email ifroehlich@drfirst.com to schedule an appointment.