Healthy Skepticism Library item: 16117

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Mirixa Lipitor program launch
Pharmacy Daily (Australia) 2009 Jul 31
http://www.pharmacydaily.com.au

Full text:

PFIZER and the Pharmacy Guild this morning announced a new Lipitor Cholesterol Coach Program, which will operate as a partnership with the Guild’s fully owned Mirixa Australia subsidiary.

The program will allow pharmacists to identify and deliver “point-of-dispensing, medicationrelated care” to patients taking Lipitor (atorvastatin) who struggle with medication adherence.

It works in conjunction with the patients’ Medsindex score, targeting those with a score of 60 or below based on repeat dispensing dates, which are used to estimate the number of doses taken compared with the number prescribed by the doctor.

Pfizer said the program was good news for both patients and pharmacists, given the welldocumented low levels of adherence to treatment regimens for a range of conditions including dyslipidaemia.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has reported that one in six Australian patients initiated on lipid-lowering therapy had discontinued their treatment by six months, while only 65% remained on therapy after two years.

“With largely asymptomatic conditions such as dyslipidaemia, patient engatement and adherence is especially difficult to sustain,” said Guild President Kos Sclavos.

“Initiatives such as the Lipitor Cholesterol Coach Program, which aim to increase the ongoing communication between healthcare provider and patient, could go a long way in addressing the adherence problem,” he added.

Pharmacies which participate in the program will be able to automatically identify patients taking Lipitor who may benefit from an adherence program, and then provide personalised protocols, patient support materials and health coaching.

Mirixa Australia ceo Ross Gallagher said the system would allow pharmacists to enhance their relationships with their patients while providing valuable advice, ensuring that the benefits of the medication is maximised – leading to the quality use of medicines.

“Pharmacists are perfectly positioned to help patients with medication adherence,” he said, because they are trusted and because of their high accessibility.

The Lipitor Cholesterol Coach Program is now available nationwide in registered pharmacies.