The most cost-effective programs for helping patients stay on cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering medications have been identified in a comprehensive research study from IMS Health.

The research study, to appear in Value in Health, for the first time, looked at the results of programs conducted between 1972-2007 that were directed towards patients to keep them on their cholesterol and blood pressure lowering medications and identify those programs that were most successful at the lowest costs to the healthcare system.

The research found that a "self-monitoring, reminders and educational materials"- based program and a "pharmacist/nurse management" program were the most cost-effective intervention methods for prompting patients to adhere to maintaining cardiovascular medicine therapies over time.

Past studies have shown that patient adherence to cardiovascular medication treatment regimens decreases within 6 months of starting treatment. As a result, numerous intervention programs over many years have been developed at varying costs and success rates. With this research study, the value of these programs based on effectiveness and cost is clearer, which may help to guide design and implementation of adherence-improving programs going forward.

"With this study, we hope greater clarity has been provided on what have been approaches used most effectively for getting patients to stay on their cardiovascular therapies, thereby improving their health, and saving the healthcare system substantial costs related to cardiovascular disease," says Richard Chapman, Principal, Health Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR), IMS Health.

Value in Health publishes papers, concepts, and ideas that advance the field of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research and help health care leaders to make decisions that are solidly evidence-based. The journal is published bi-monthly and has a regular readership of over 5,000 clinicians, decision-makers, and researchers worldwide.

Source:
ISPOR