Medication non-adherence is an enduring issue in the UK healthcare system, costing the NHS a staggering £930 million annually.[i] Despite advancements in medical treatments, adherence rates for chronic conditions like diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and schizophrenia remain alarmingly low, which can lead to poor health outcomes, increased hospital admissions, and elevated mortality rates.

These pressing challenges took centre stage in a recent webinar by EMIS, the leading provider of innovative healthcare technology in the UK. With more than 35 years of experience delivering digital solutions, EMIS brings innovation to healthcare settings ranging from primary care and hospital pharmacies to patients’ everyday lives. The webinar explores how the company’s technologies address medication adherence challenges while improving patient engagement and outcomes.

The discussion features insights from EMIS’s experts Dr Krishna Vakharia, NHS GP and chief medical officer, Emma Beards, solution specialist and a qualified community pharmacist, and Chris Barlow, director of business development for research, academia and life sciences. Drawing from their experiences in healthcare settings and through their collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, together they examine how technology-driven communication can empower patients and enhance adherence.

One topic of discussion is the complexities of medication non-adherence, from social barriers and misinformation to the time constraints faced by clinicians. Patients may leave consultations unsure of why, when, and how to take their medications, particularly when managing multiple conditions. EMIS’s technologies bridge these gaps by delivering timely, targeted information at critical touchpoints, such as the prescribing and dispensing of medications. Tools like EMIS Web, the UK’s most widely used primary care clinical system, provide healthcare professionals with seamless access to resources that support communication of helpful information to patients.

Innovative solutions in action

EMIS’s platforms are designed to integrate with various healthcare settings to provide consistent and accurate information. These include:

  • EMIS Web: A market leader in primary care clinical systems, offering healthcare professionals tools to streamline prescribing and patient engagement. Used by over 3,800 GP surgeries in England.
  • ProScript Connect: Used by more than 5,800 pharmacies, this patient medication record software provides pharmacists with actionable insights to assist at the point of dispensing.
  • Patient Access App: With over 18 million registered users, Patient Access is the leading independent patient services app in the UK. Over 1.9 million patients use the Medications Assistant feature, providing their consent to link to their Electronic Health Record (EHR) for personalised medication guidance, education, and support to improve health outcomes.

Case studies discussed in the webinar illustrate the real-world impact of these tools. In one campaign, EMIS partnered with a pharmaceutical company to provide educational materials to patients prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Over 12 months, engagement remained high, with a 57% average open rate for the resources. Another initiative focusing on people diagnosed with diabetes using metformin achieved a 61% average open rate, demonstrating the power of personalised, relevant communication with patients.

EMIS collaborates with pharmaceutical organisations to create impactful campaigns. The company’s capabilities in data analytics, targeted communication, and patient engagement solutions help to ensure the success of these campaigns in addressing adherence challenges. EMIS’s platforms enable real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, allowing healthcare providers to proactively support patients while enhancing the efficiency of healthcare systems.

The path forward

As the healthcare industry continues to embrace digital transformation, the future of medication adherence lies in deep integration of personalised technology. Innovations such as real-time reminders, educational content tailored to patient needs, and predictive analytics will play crucial roles. With EMIS’s comprehensive ecosystem of tools and expertise, the company is poised to lead the way in creating better health outcomes for patients and reducing the economic burden of non-adherence.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore EMIS’s cutting-edge solutions in action. Sign up now to watch the on-demand webinar and discover how connected healthcare can revolutionise medication adherence and patient outcomes.

[i] Elliott et al. Supporting adherence for people starting a new medication for a long-term condition through community pharmacies: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of the New Medicine Service.  

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