Yet while the clinical and economic benefits to patients from the proper use of prescribed medications are well known, ensuring appropriate adherence continues to be difficult. Particularly among Medicare patients and individuals with chronic conditions, encouraging the proper use of medicines presents significant challenges.

Innovative strategies by payers, physicians, pharmacists, and others suggest there are opportunities to incentivize and encourage patients to remain more adherent to prescribed drug regimens. Specific strategies may include lowering copayments, reducing dosing frequency, and pharmacist-directed medication therapy management.

To improve health outcomes and save money, those who influence healthcare policy and practice should support measures that encourage greater engagement and education with patients to demonstrate the importance of proper medication use.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) provided funding for this research. Avalere maintained editorial control and the conclusions expressed here are solely those of the authors.