T_Dia
04-06-2009, 05:48 PM
A program that gets employers, pharmacists and people with diabetes to work together to reign in skyrocketing diabetes-related health care costs as well as improve patient health is showing promise, according to a report released today by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation.
In the "Diabetes Ten City Challenge" conducted by the APhA with support from GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. 30 employers in 10 U.S. cities established a voluntary health benefit for employees, dependents and retirees with diabetes.
As part of the DTCC program, employers used incentives, such as waiving co-payments for diabetes medications and supplies, to encourage people to manage their diabetes with the help of local pharmacist "coaches" who help patients track their blood sugar levels and cholesterol, and to control their disease through exercise, nutrition and lifestyle changes. These specially trained pharmacists, who are matched to patients through the HealthMapRx program, also communicate with the patients' doctor if needed.
Data released today on 573 diabetic patients enrolled in the program for at least 1 year show that average total health care costs were reduced annually by nearly $1100 per patient, or 7.2 percent, compared with projected costs without the DTCC program. Patients also saved an average of $593 per year on their diabetes medications and supplies.
Full Article (http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5354WU20090406).
In the "Diabetes Ten City Challenge" conducted by the APhA with support from GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. 30 employers in 10 U.S. cities established a voluntary health benefit for employees, dependents and retirees with diabetes.
As part of the DTCC program, employers used incentives, such as waiving co-payments for diabetes medications and supplies, to encourage people to manage their diabetes with the help of local pharmacist "coaches" who help patients track their blood sugar levels and cholesterol, and to control their disease through exercise, nutrition and lifestyle changes. These specially trained pharmacists, who are matched to patients through the HealthMapRx program, also communicate with the patients' doctor if needed.
Data released today on 573 diabetic patients enrolled in the program for at least 1 year show that average total health care costs were reduced annually by nearly $1100 per patient, or 7.2 percent, compared with projected costs without the DTCC program. Patients also saved an average of $593 per year on their diabetes medications and supplies.
Full Article (http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5354WU20090406).