Medelert Blog

2011-01-10T14:37:00.001-08:00

The Monitored Med-E-Lert Has A Built In

MEDICAL ALERT

The unit has a built in Medical Alert with a waterproof pendant that has a call and cancel button. The medical Alert pendant can automatically place a voice call and SMS message for help if it detects a fall and the patient is unable to push the button. The range will reach outside the home 300 meters (984 feet). If the patient has an emergency by pushing the call button and the dispenser eill call caregivers with a seperate emergency message. By pushing the second button the alert will be canceled. The Alert button is stylish in design and can be worn as a pendant around the neck or on the wrist. When it is medication time the Alert Remote will vibrate.

2011-01-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED

THE SPACE AGE

MONITORED MED-E-LERT

The Rolls Royce Of Monitored Pill Dispensers

AT A USED CAR PRICE

John Krans

716-907-3395

jlk9494@yahoo.com

Happy Med-E-Lert Customers

2010-11-17T11:51:00.000-08:00

My mother, Who lives alone with part time care providers, has difficulty with severe short term memory loss, confusing days, times etc. The biggest worry I had was the fact that she was taking pills from her large monthly pill box on the wrong days at incorrect times or mainly not taking the medications at all.

The 'Med-E-Lert' solved that problem for her, it took a few days to get use to the device alerts etc. but now she takes it everywhere, and we know now she is following the Doctor's prescribed consumption.

I did observe that some of the soft gel type pills tend to stick in the pill pocket, so Mom gives it a good shake and the do fall out into ger hands.

You cannot find this kind of peace of mind for the money. I anticipate getting another if this one wears out and eventually one for myself. -- Peter

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This works GREAT. With my mother's memory is not very good, she could not remember when she took her pills. I have to work so was not able to be at home when it as time for her pain medication. Often times she would take it much to early and I worried about an overdose and then she was in a lot of pain before it was time to take the next dose. This way, I don't have to worry. It's on the table and she can't open it to take the medications until it is time for her to do so. It's made a big difference in how she feels as well. Taking her medication at a specific time (instead of when she thought she should take them) has helped her manage her pain much better and she is doing much better than before.

The next best thing was the price!!! I could not believe the price of these types of products. Why pay hundreds of dollars when this one works GREAT. -- Softmystic

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I was a little skeptical at first, because this was cheaper than others I had looked at, but to my amazement I truly did find a great item.

It's compact, not so hard to set up, has a loud enough sound, and it suits my need perfectly.

My mother is 85 and is hard oh hearing. She hears it from any room in the house.

The only problem we gave encountered is the fact that she takes a lot of medicines and on a couple of occasions a pill stuck at the bottom and they were missed. But I now fill it a little different putting the larger pills in first and the more important pills in last. No problems since. -- Sandi

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Works well for my mother who can't remember to take her meds on time. Now we just have to be sure she takes them. -- Sharon Schneider

________________________________________________

I recently bought this pill dispenser for my mother it has been such an awesome and affordable device. I had priced these units at twice the cost and really didn't want to pay that much. I would have, for the peace of mind that it brings, but I am very happy with the cost of this one! She is almost 99 and livesin assisted living, but is still independent!

Awsome product~!

Thank you very much! -- beadrookie

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Purchased two of the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispensers. One for each of my parents. Although they are able to care for themselves, their medication doses were confusing them to the point that they would skip and/or double dose. After setting up the pill dispensers the first time, both parents are feeling much better and more comfortable with getting their meds on time and in the right dosages.

It takes a little concentration to get the box set up right the first time but after that, it is a breeze to fill and lock each week. -- L. Cook

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Happy@Home Says About Med-E-Lert

2010-11-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

"Now that we've had one for 6 months, we can't live without an electronic pillbox. We want to get one for our dogs, now, for when they have to take medication. You no longer have to remember when to take your meds or when to give them to your loved ones (humans or pets). you can tote it easily from kitchen to bathroon to bedside, so the meds are there when you need to take them. You can't accidently spill your pills after the contraption is locked. And compared to the fees charged by assisted living facilities, this will pay for itself in one week!" . . . http://www.aldea.com/

New Med-E-Lert

2010-07-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

COMING SOON

MONITORED MED-E-LERT

THE ROLLS ROYCE OF

AUTOMATIC PILL DISPENSERS

A Major Pharmacy College & Med-E-Lert "Pharmacy Filling Program" Study

2010-05-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

A Major Pharmacy College and the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser company have entered a "Pharmacy Filling Program" study. 160 pharmacy students in the second professional year of their curriculum are placed in a variety of community pharmacy settings, including large retail chains, grocery store pharmacies, independent pharmacies, medical clinic pharmacies, etc.

Each student has been given a Med-E-Lert and along with the pharmacist will select an individual with a complicated medication regime to be given the Med-E-Lert. A comprehensive study will follow.

Recent developments addressing two of the most significant lost revenue challenges in drug store sales for pharmacies unfilled perscriptions and loss of customers to mail order pharmacies.

Published UK studies including a recent University of Birmingham, UK report (2008), as well as a new study about to be published, substantiate the increased benefits to patients and pharmacies of a new technology proven in England and which has recently been introduced to the USA.

The impact on pharmacies is simply that they can recover much of the lost perscription revenues that have plagued the industry for many years. The key is to tie a new category of consumer product, the Automated Pill Dispenser to the pharmacy operation, by offering a multi-dose pharmacy fill program. The impact on revenues driven from; customer conversions, re-acquisition and retention, increased refill rates, increased percentage of patients that fill 100% of their scripts at the pharmacy, pull through sales of other retail products, and finally new revenues from sales of a new product.

We, along with a select group of competitors, have developed a technology that has been proven in the UK and are bringing this to the US pharmacy market. This product category has been in the USA for a few years, but until now has been too expensive to create a significant opportunity for pharmacies. However, as a result of a technology and manufacturing breakthrough, we have broken the price barrier necessary to ignite the market and make this product something consumers will buy.

MED-E-LERT PATENTS

2010-05-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

Med-E-Lert is pleased to announce that the EU has issued Med-E-Lert the Design Patent.

China has issued Med-E-Lert the Design and Utility Patent and the Invention Patent is Pending.

MED-E-LERT AIDS ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS

2010-04-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

Over five million people in the United States are affected by Alzheimer's disease. With time, Alzheimer's disease gets progressively worse and has major effects on an older person's memory which impacts their ability to live in an independent lifestyle. Nevertheless, older adults with mild stages of Alzheimer's still have the chance to live normal and independent lives with the right resources. Some mild stages of Alzheimer's disease includes difficulty managing finances, planning meals, and taking medication on time, as well as difficulty learning and remembering new information. It is vital that certain resources be provided to older adults to make sure they are safe and kept healthy.

The Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser is great for the elderly. It has the capabilities to dispense the right pills at the right time, hold doses for up to two weeks and warn older adults when it's dose time through audible and visual signals. Med-E-Lert helps make sure that pills are taken in the right amount and at the right time. The devise can be especially useful elderly who have Alzheimer's. Since medicine is constantly improving, there is a variety of pills that can help older adults. Older adults find it hard to remember the amount and time they must take their pills. Patients with complicated daily medical regimes can benefit from such a product because not only will iy insure the right amount of pills are taken, but it will also remind the patient through a loud beeping sound when it is time to take their medication.

John Krans

International Sales Manager

716-907-3395

jlk9494@yahoo.com

MED-E-LERT PHARMACY FILLING PROGRAM

2010-02-13T08:33:00.001-08:00

The Med-E-Lert Pharmacy Filling Program is an additional profit center for the pharmacy. The pharmacy sells the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser and charges a monthly fee to fill the trays. Pharmacies in the United Kingdom have been filling automatic pill dispenser trays successfully for a number of years.

The following promotion is for pharmacy chains interested in increasing their profits and medication adhearance by promoting the Med-E-Lert Pharmacy Filling Program.

When ordering Med-E-Lerts in 20' container quantities (4320 units) Med-E-Lert will offer two additional Spare Trays (8640 Trays) with Dosage Rings and Dust Covers in a white box Free of Charge. Free shipping is also offered on container orders. This will provide the customer with a total of three trays. Initially the Med-E-Lert can be loaded and programmed by the pharmacist. After the first filling of the trays, the extra trays can be carried to the pharmacy for refills.

Automatic pill dispensers like the Med-E-Lert are ideal for patients who have Alheizmer's, dementia, are mentally or visually impaired or for those who take several medications or nutritional supplements and vitamins throughout the day and need an efficient reminder of which pills to take when. The most successful program for the Automatic Pill Dispensers have been one where the community pharmacist fills the dispenser. Standard Operating procedures have been set up by pharmacies in the UK. For more information about these procedures and how the Med-E-Lert Pharmacy Filling Program can work for you contact:

John Krans

716-907-3395 (US Phone)

jlk9494@yahoo.com

SATISFIED MED-E-LERT CUSTOMERS

2010-02-08T06:59:00.000-08:00

This gadget has been a godsend! I help someone who has to take quite a few vital medications, in a complicated, four-times-a-day regimen. Even with the basic, non-mechanized pill organizers, it was a nightmare trying to help her remember her pill times and getting her to take the right pills at the right time without getting mixed up and either missing a dosage or taking them to close together and thus dangerously doubling dosages.

I know I sound like a TV pitchman when I say that I was skeptical about this device at first, because there are competing pill dispensers at four, five and even ten times the price of this that seem to do pretty much the same thing. I figured there must be some catch, or trade-off or some vital feature that this less expensive device didn't have. But I bought one and lo and behold, for non-commercial, private home application, it works great! I load it up once a week and I'm done!

The set-up instructions could be clearer, but I followed them carefully and got it done in about 15 minutes or less, and there will be no reason to have to re-set it unless the doctor changes the regimen times, which is not likely. That it is battery powered is also good. The electricity shut off during a couple of storms recently but this dispenser went right ahead and did what was needed, alerting and dispensing, one less thing, a very important thing, that I don't have to worry about with the lights off.

I can't tell you how much this humble device has made life easier, less frustrating--and SAFER--for myself and my friend. It does exactly what the say it does. I love it and highly recommend it.

(My gosh, I sure DO sound like some wild-eyed TV pitchman, but I guess it is that good ol' fashioned enthusiasm for this product that compelled me to bother to write this review, knowing that if it helps others like it helped me, the world will be a happier place, Classic win-win.) - David Ciaffardini

My mother has early stage Alheizmers disease, and this automatic pill dispenser has solved a very critical problem. She would fall asleep and wake up several times during the day, and each she would think it was a new day, and take the next medications from her pill boxes. this product has solved that problem, and has actually helped he overcome a great deal of confusion. My only complaint is that the initial set-up is difficult at best, and the instructions are not intuitively easy - Snyder

I purchased this for my mom with short term memory loss who often could not remember if she took her pills. She lives alone and it was very worisome for me. This pill dispenser is very sophisticated with lots of options which makes it complicated to set up. No way an elderly person could do it themselves in my opinion. Bur after set it up it totally resolved our problem! there is no way she can take pills twice which is the most dangerous situation plus I can tell if she skips a dose (she hasn't). Any alarms set up shut off as soon as you tip the pills out. Anyway, we love it and it is well worth the cost in peace of mind. My only caution is that each pill section is not very big. In my mom's case her pill are noy so large so there is plenty of room, but if taking large pills like vitamins and antibiotics there could be an issue getting them all in. I suppose you could use two sections and have them open at different times of the day to resolve the problem. Anyway, now that we have this we could not live without it. - Linda M

jonas-care Distributes Med-E-Lert In Germany, Austria and Switzerland www.jonas-care.de

2010-02-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

The Company jonas-care was established in the year 2002 by Lothar Beck with a drinking aid for handicapped persons in need of care.

This very flexible drinking aid allows, especially in case of restricted motor activity such as Athetosis, Spastic Paralysis, MS, Parkinson's Disease, Celebral Paralysis, the independent and safe drinking from normal glasses without using hands.

The long lasting good connections to a wide field of customers, such as end users, resellers, clinics, facilities, and medical suppliers will give a helpful start up for selling the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser. This unit is offered under a new name "MEDI-28" which is more common in the German language area. jonas-care takes special care to keep all European standards for the unit, which are totally different from the US market.

jonas-care installed a separate website under http://www.jonas-medi.de/ to deal with these units. The start date will be in March 2010.

TABTIME LTD. IS A MED-E-LERT DISTRIBUTOR IN THE UK

2010-01-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

Tabtime Ltd. a UK based retailer of medical supplies, physical therapy products, has won a distributorship agreement to warehouse and distribute the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser with alarm throughout the UK. This new product is available on www.tabtime.com The product line will also be available to pharmacy chains, assisted living stores and OT's & hospitals.

Automatic pill dispensers with alarms are known to be quite difficult to travel with, and have been fairly expensive until the development of the Med-E-Lert. This product shares the features of many of the traditional automatic pill dispensers used to optimize the management of nutritional supplements or medication yet this new model is portable, very easy to use, and is retailing at around half the price of some of its competitors.

"The Med-E-lert's functionality, quality and the manufacturer's passion all represent everything Tabtime Ltd. stands for. We're here to launch product innovations that make all the difference in a person's life. and this Med-E-Lert will certainly open up worlds of opportunity for anyone who incorporates it into their patient care, or the family care plan."

Automatic pill dispensers like the Med-E-Lert are ideal for patients who have Alzheimer's, dementia, are mentally or visually impaired or for those who take several medications or nutritional supplements and vitamins throughout the day and need an efficient reminder of which pills to be taken when. These products are also widely popular with in home caregivers and in assisted living facilities and hospitals so that caregivers can monitor patients medication in a manner that is simple and not time consuming. There are 28 spaces for medication in the Med-E-Lert, so patients or caregivers can plan ahead for taking their medication up to four times a day for one week.

Other automatic pill dispensers can cost between 100.00 - 200.00 pounds, and, while very helpful and convenient for many people, are not always affordable. The Med-E-Lert is easy to use and easy to program up to four times per day for up to seven days, and having a lock and key helps prevent over-medication or theft. It is made of high quality materials and is lightweight and battery operated so it ideal for travel or for patients who need to be transported often. The clear top enables the user to see and monitor the status of the medication or supplements without unlocking the device. There are three different alarm tones offered,including a blinking red light, to alert the patient when medication needs to be taken. The alarm will not turn off until the pill dispenser is tilted on its side to dispense the pills.

Tabtime Ltd. are known for launching best choices of medical, health, safety, pain relief and fitness products into the marketplace, at the best prices in the country. The Med-E-Lert, like every other new product that comes through the doors of Tabtime has been through the testing and review process of Tabtime's Product Management Team. The Med-E-Lert is currently available at

www.tabtime.com

or call

0044 (0)1270 767207

MED-E-LERT REVIEWS

2010-01-24T10:50:00.000-08:00

Great Product
I bought this product for my senior father to help eliminate confusion over taking his medications. Great Product!! Straightforward to set up and fill. The design prevents the possibility of taking doses out-of-order or double-dosing. I think the white lid version is best for seniors that suffer from confusion. Alarm could be louder for those that are hard-of-hearing. Great product, quick delivery, and great price. Solved our worries regarding father taking his meds correctly. Highly recommend!! - Tom - 12/2/2009

Very pleased with the product. It works just as advertised and answered many of our problems getting my father to take his pills in a timely and sequential manner. The alarm works great and is easily heard even by someone who is hard of hearing. Just be sure to take your time when you program it initially and check that it is operating as you wish before you start using it with the patient - D. Pachelo - Colorado

A real life saver! we had problems with mom taking double doses and missing doses. This product has given us an extension on getting a service to dispense the meds. The only problem I had with it was when the batteries died after two weeks meds weren't dispensed. I know there is a error message on the screen but the screen is under the protective cover and she couldn't see it. The dispenser is easy to load and use overall. - D. Andretti.

We care for my mother-in-law which has memory loss. The item works GREAT. Wish we had found it earlier. I would recommend this item to others. - Ronald

Received Medelert for my mother in law and must say great product and great service thank you. Bob Parker UK

Happy With Her Med-E-Lert Purchase

2009-12-26T08:51:00.000-08:00

Purchased this pill dispenser to help with my elderly father who was taking his pills incorrectly...The timer and fact that you can only take the pills on the designated day is a great design...Easy to use...highly recommended it! - Joanne Lewis

2009-12-18T09:18:00.000-08:00

ROBERT GARLAND and JOHN KRANS

WISH YOU A

AND A

Happy and Prosperous

NEW YEAR

Americans Do Not Take Prescription Medicines As Instructed

2009-11-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

More Than Half of Americans do not take Prescription Medicines as Instructed Pointing to Growing Public Health Problem

A new omnibus survey released today by the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) and Prescription Solutions, a leading pharmacy benefit management organization and a UnitedHealth group company and recently appointed to the NCPIE Board of Directors, finds that 54 percent of Americans say they do not consistently take prescriptions as instructed even though 87 percent believe prescription medicines are important to their health - pointing to a growing public health problem.

Poor adhearance to medications - the extent to which people take their medications as prescribed by their doctor - can have adverse effects on people's health. It diminishes the ability to treat chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma and many other diseases; and it can result in suffering, an increase in hospitalizations and even death. This and other findings confirm the need for immediate action to address 10 key recommendations made by the NCPIE widely-recognized 2007 report. "Enhancing Prescription Medicine Adhearance; A National Action Plan" which include:

Immediately impliment professionsl training and increase the funding for professional education on patient medication adhearance
Develop a curriculum on medication adhearance for the use in medical schools and allied health care institutions.
Address the barriers to patient adhearance for patients with low health literacy.
Create the means to share information about best practices in adhearance education and management.

November 12, 2009
National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)
200-A Monroe Street, Suite 212
Rockville, MD 20850-4448
Phone: (301) 340- 3940
Fax: (301) 340-3944
ncpie@ncpie.info
http://www.ncpie.org/
http://www.talkaboutrx.org/
http://www.bemedwise.org

What People Say about Med-E-Lert

2009-11-12T08:14:00.001-08:00

"I have to tell you how great this product is. My father is 80 and has Alzhermer's. I didn't think he would be able to use Med-E-Lert, but he can. The alarm goes off and he's reminded to take his pills. He just turns the unit over and the right dose drops in his hand. He can't access any other pills until it is time for the next dose. So thank you for making my life and his, much easier and safer." - Cyndi, Deerfield MI

DEALERS & DISTRIBUTORS WANTED WORLDWIDE

2009-10-23T14:53:00.001-07:00

MED-E-LERT AUTOMATIC PILL DISPENSER

The Med-E-Lert is an excellent product to help people become more "Medication Compliant"

The Med-E-Lert Is Equal In Quality And Functions To Pill Dispensers Selling For $289.00

But Sells For Only $69.95

The Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser is a medication reminder and and automated pill dispenser in one easy to use device. The most affrodable device of its kind, the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser is ideal for the home, nursing homes, hospices, and hospitals. The Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser gives patients, care givers, and loved ones peace of mind by ensuring that only the prescribed dose of medication is available and patient compliance is achieved.

Designed with safety and convience in mind, the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser features a secured, tamper-proof, locking key system to avoid over-medication. With 28 compartments, the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser can be used for medication taken up to four times daily. Three different alarm tones and a blinking red light alert the patient when medication needs to be taken. The Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser includes four discs that can be inserted to indicate the day of the week and time of the day depending on the number of doses needed daily. despite its compact size, the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser also features the largest pill compartments of any other automatic pill dispenser.

The Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser is designed especially for the elderly, alzheimer's patients, visually or mentally impaired, and patients with complicated daily medical regimes. Caregiver facilities can enjoy the savings the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser brings them by reducing the need for personnel to distribute medication. Enjoy convenience and peace of mind when you buy the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser.

For More Information And A Sample Contact

John Krans
International Sales Manager

716-907-3395 (US)

jlk9494@yahoo.com

THE COST OF NOT TAKING MEDICATION AS PRESCRIBED

2009-10-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

Med Compliance Could Save $290B Yearly

August 17, 2009 -- By Tracy Staton

If patients just took their meds as directed, pharma sales would grow significantly. That's why drugmakers have been trying all sorts of ways to remind folks to take their pills: mailings from the pharmacy, emails, you name it.

Maybe the government should join in on the compliance push. After all, cutting healthcare costs is one of the big aims of the U.S. reform push right now. And a new study shows that medication compliance could save the U.S. $290 billion a year, or 13 percent of the total health care costs. That's because so many of today's drugs address chronic conditions and, ironically, people with chronic illness are worst at taking their meds. And by skipping drugs, chronically ill folks experience complications that then have to be treated, often in the hospital.

For instance, Pharma Times reports, diabetics who don't take their meds as directed have almost twice the total annual healthcare costs as those who do, at $16,498 compared with $8,886. Considering how many people have diabetes in the U.S., that difference could total quite a sum.

_____________________________________

This blog feels that the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser is an excellent product to help people become more "Medication Compliant" saving billions of dollars.

ActiveForever Introduces New Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser with Alarm

2009-10-01T12:12:00.000-07:00

ActiveForever Introduces New Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser with Alarm

Scottsdale-based Medical Supplies Retailer to Be Sole North American Distributor of Innovative Medication Management Device

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - June 24, 2009 - ActiveForever, a Scottsdale-based retailer of medical supplies, physical therapy products, and fitness equipment, has just won an exclusive distribution agreement to warehouse and distribute the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser with Alarm throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada. This new product will be available on www.ActiveForever.com, as well as in its retail stores. The product line will also be available to drugstore chains, assisted living facilities and hospitals.

Automatic pill dispensers with alarms are known to be quite difficult to travel with, and have been fairly expensive until the development of the Med-E-Lert. This product shares the features of many of the traditional automatic pill dispensers used to optimize the management of nutritional supplements or medication yet this new model is portable, very easy to use, and is retailing at around half the price of some of its competitors.

"We are thrilled and honored to be chosen to represent this product line," says ActiveForever CEO Erika Feinberg. "The Med-E-Lert's functionality, quality and the manufacturer's passion all represent everything ActiveForever stands for. We're here to launch product innovations that make all the difference in a person's life, and this Med-E-Lert will certainly open up worlds of opportunity for anyone who incorporates it into their patient care, or their family care plan."

Automatic pill dispensers like the Med-E-Lert are ideal for patients who have Alzheimer's, dementia, are mentally or visually impaired or for those who take several medications or nutritional supplements and vitamins throughout day and need an efficient reminder of which pills to take when. These products are also widely popular with in home caregivers and in assisted living facilities and hospitals so that caregivers can monitor patients' medication in a manner that is simple and not time consuming. There are 28 spaces for medication in the Med-E-Lert, so a patient or caregiver can plan ahead for taking their medication up to four times a day for one week.

Other automatic pill dispensers can cost between $200.00-$700.00, and, while very helpful and convenient for many people, are not always affordable. The Med-E-Lert is easy to use and easy to program up to four times per day for up to seven days, and having a lock and key helps prevent over-medication or theft. It is made of high quality materials and is lightweight and battery operated so it is ideal for travel or for patients who need to be transported often. The clear top enables the user to see and monitor the status of the medication or supplements without unlocking the device. There are three different alarm tones are offered, including a blinking light, to alert the patient when medication needs to be taken. The alarm will not turn off until the pill dispenser is tilted on its side to dispense the pills.

ActiveForever is known for launching best choices of medical, health, safety, pain relief and fitness products into the marketplace, at the best prices in the country. The Med-E-Lert, like every other new product that comes through the doors of ActiveForever has been through the testing and review process of ActiveForever's Product Management Team. The Med-E-Lert is currently available for pre-order at www.ActiveForever.com or by calling ActiveForever at 1-800-377-8033.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Author: Lois Douglas
Contact: Media@ActiveForever.com
Direct: 480.459.3144

About ActiveForever
ActiveForever is the leading source of very well priced life-enhancing products that address almost all physical disabilities, injuries or pain. Products include daily living aids, bath, safety and hygiene products, mobility aids, emergency supplies, durable medical equipment, medical nutrition, low vision and hearing loss devices, physical therapy products, land and aquatic exercise therapy products. ActiveForever provides a multitude of product solutions for arthritis, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, stroke rehabilitation, sports injuries, pain relief, foot/ankle, hand, hip/knee and other physically limiting conditions. The company also offers unique and life-enhancing gift ideas.

Top Ranked Nationally: www.ActiveForever.com, www.WesternFulfillment.com, www.ActiveForever.com/Media

Discovery Centers: Contain interactive retail and meeting/education centers
Reserve and use the education centers for free!
Scottsdale 480-767-6800, Peoria AZ 623-215-8470, National 800-377-8033

Print Catalogs: Free for your facility to share with your patients and caregivers anywhere in the country.

New Study Finds Lack of Medication Compliance Leads to High Medical Costs

2009-10-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

New Study Finds Lack of Medication Compliance Leads to High Medical Costs

Dramatic Increase in Risk of Hospitalization Seen When Patients Don't Stick with Drug Treatments

Study Among the First to Show Costs of Not Taking Medicine
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., June 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Patients with diabetes and high cholesterol can save the health care system millions of dollars by properly taking their medication, according to a new study from Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS).
Despite prescription drug costs that have escalated 12 to 16 percent annually, the costs and risks of hospitalization far outweigh the costs of using medications as directed, states the lead study "Impact of Medication Adherence on Hospitalization Risk and Healthcare Cost," published in the June issue of "Medical Care," a prominent peer-reviewed journal published by the American Public Health Association. The study was based on a sample of over 137,000 patients under the age of 65 with either diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, or congestive heart failure. It is one of the first studies to demonstrate the savings generated by medication compliance for these prevalent chronic medical conditions.
The study found that the least compliant diabetes patients were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized compared to those who were most compliant, and their total health care costs were nearly double, as well. The authors note that people who use their diabetes medications as directed are less likely to develop the short-term and long-term health problems that can require expensive care.
Published research shows that many people with chronic health conditions do not take their medications as often as prescribed and that noncompliance may cost as much as $300 billion to the American healthcare system. Adherence to medication therapy averages only 50 to 65 percent for common chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
"This research hammers home the dangers and the expense of not following a treatment regimen," said Dr. Robert S. Epstein, a co-author of the study and Medco's chief medical officer. "Increased medication compliance for chronic conditions can significantly cut medical costs and keep patients out of the hospital. Clearly it's important to reduce the need for hospitalization, both from a clinical and a cost standpoint."
The study showed that the money spent on medication treatments led to substantial savings when the costs of adherence to prescription drug therapy were compared to the costs of hospitalization and medical treatments. Patients in the study were categorized into groups based on their level of prescription medication compliance, and their drug and medical costs were tracked over the course of the following year. Medical costs included the costs of doctor visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.
The study was able to estimate the savings generated by prescription drug adherence by comparing the costs of a less compliant group of patients to a group with greater compliance. For diabetes patients, every additional dollar spent on medication saved $7 in medical costs. The medical cost savings were $5.10 for each additional dollar spent on medications for high cholesterol, and $3.98 for every dollar spent on prescription drugs for patients with high blood pressure.
Costs and Hospitalization Risks
For patients with diabetes, the analysis found that hospitalization risks and health care costs were lower for patients who were highly compliant with their drug therapy. Diabetes patients who are highly compliant with their treatment programs have a 13 percent hospitalization risk for a diabetes- related problem, but patients with low compliance have more than twice the risk at 30 percent. The combined drug and medical costs for the most compliant patients average $4,570, which is almost 50 percent below the $8,867 cost for the least compliant group.
The difference among patients with cholesterol problems is not as pronounced in terms of hospitalization risk, but the difference in costs is significant since a hospital stay for a cardiovascular problem, such as a heart attack or stroke, is expensive. The hospitalization risk of the most compliant patients is 12 percent versus 15 percent in the least compliant group. However, the total health care cost is $3,924 for the most compliant group, compared with $6,888 in the least compliant group.
The study also looked at medical expenses that included cases in which patients have more than one ailment. Better compliance with drug therapy helped reduce the risk of being hospitalized for any medical condition, and it reduced the overall costs for a patient's health care. The least compliant group of diabetics had on average $16,498 in total medical and drug costs compared with $8,886 for the most compliant group. Among patients with high blood cholesterol, the total medical and drug costs were $10,916 in the least compliant group versus $6,752 in the most compliant category.
Improving Compliance
Reasons for poor medication compliance include costs, side effects, forgetfulness, or a lack of symptoms that lead patients to prematurely stop taking medications. Patients with chronic conditions that show no visible symptoms, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, can think they are fine and don't require medication, even as their health deteriorates.
"Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and PBMs, can play an important role in encouraging medication compliance," Epstein said. "Drugs have become increasingly complex and people are being prescribed more of them, which places greater demands on healthcare providers to educate patients and take proactive measures to ensure proper medication use."
Epstein also noted that, going forward, generics will continue to play a key role in assisting patients with compliance due to cost concerns. Drugs with total U.S. sales of approximately $35 billion could lose patent protection over the next three years, making way for much more cost-effective choices in a variety of therapeutic categories including hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol medications.
About Medco
Medco Health Solutions (NYSE: MHS) is a leader in managing prescription drug benefit programs that are designed to drive down the cost of pharmacy healthcare for private and public employers, health plans, labor unions and government agencies of all sizes. Medco operates the largest mail-order and Internet pharmacies and has been recognized for setting new industry benchmarks for pharmacy dispensing quality. Medco, ranked by Fortune Magazine as one of America's "Most Admired" healthcare companies, is a Fortune 50 company with 2004 revenues of $35 billion. Medco is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MHS. On the Net: http://www.medco.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward- looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this presentation should be evaluated together with the risks and uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those mentioned in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

CONTACT: Ann Smith, Medco Health Solutions, Inc.,
Mobile: +1-201-675-3709,
Work: +1-201-269-5984,
ann_smith@medco.com; or
Janet Schiller or Bill Borden, Coyne Public Relations,
+1-973-316-1665
Web site: http://www.medco.com
(MHS)

Patient Compliance To Prescribed Drug Regimens In The United States Is Appalling

2009-09-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

(Excerpt from an article posted by Michael Pestorious in NJ voice Blog)

Patient compliance to prescribed drug regimens is appalling in the United States and is just as bad or worse worldwide.

According to medical data giant IMS, 3.8 billion prescriptions were written in the US in 2008. 70 percent were for generic drugs and over a quarter were mostly fully paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. Only 50-70 percent of those prescriptions make it from the doctor's office to the pharmacy. Some 25-30 percent of the prescriptions are consumed according to instructions and only 15-20 percent are refilled. If patients are not compliant, and their conditions worsen because of their non-compliance, is that the doctor or the pharmaceutical company's fault? These scary statistics underlay all medications for all diseases.

Proper compliance would make a much larger dent in reducing healthcare costs than any operational efficiency or government edict. According to the Office of the Inspector General, non-compliance costs taxpayers $80 billion per year in hospital admissions and lost productivity. Consider the cost difference between taking a daily heart medication for 25 dollars a month versus an ambulance ride and open heart surgery.

This Blog has seen other studies that show with the use of an Automatic Pill Dispenser patient medication compliance is tremendously increased. Medication compliance would even increase more if pharmacies in the United States would fill pill dispenser trays as they do in the UK.

The Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser compares in quality and functions with automatic pill dispensers selling for $289.00, but retails for only $69.95.

To purchase a Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser GOOGLE "Med-E-Lert"

MED-E-LERT WHOLESALE TO RETAILERS IN NORTH AMERICA

2009-09-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

MED-E-LERT

Automatic Pill Dispenser

Western Fulfillment is the Med-E-Lert North Amercia Distributor. For information on becoming a Med-E-Lert Dealer Contact:

Brian Barducci - 1-800-377-8033 Ext 116 or bnarducci@activeforever.com

INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS WANTED

2009-09-10T14:30:00.001-07:00

MED-E-LERT

AUTOMATIC PILL DISPENSER

Distributors are wanted in all countries for the Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser. The Med-E-Lert is available with a solid top or a clear top (shown above).

The Med-E-Lert is an excellent product to help people become more "Medication Compliant".

Fully Automatic Pill Dispenser
Easy To Set-Up
Simple To Use
Long Duration Buzzer Sounds Continuously Until Pills Are Removed
Pills Can Be Dispensed 1, 2, 3 or 4 Times Daily
Solid or Transparent Cover
28 Compartments, Each Can Hold up To 18 Aspirin Size Pills
Compartment 20% Larger Than Other Automatic Pill Dispensers
Medication Tray
Extra Medication Trays Available
Lockable With metal Key (Includes An Extra Plastic Key)
Low Battery Alert
Batteries Are Included
Tamper Proof (Unable To Get To Medication Before It Is Time
Alarm: Loud Sound + 10mm Blinking Red Light
12 Month Warranty

For More Information and Sample Contact

John Krans
International Sales Manager

716-907-3395 (US)

jlk9494@yahoo.com

www.Med-E-Lert.com

Med-E-Lert Retail Merchandiser

2009-09-10T07:48:00.001-07:00

The Med-E-Lert is packaged 9 units with Solid or Clear Tops per merchandiser.

Med-E-Lert Affordable Automatic Pill Dispenser

2009-09-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser

Solid and Clear Top

Med-E-Lert is the Affordable Automatic Pill Dispenser. Med-E-Lert compares in quality and functions with automatic pill dispensers selling for $289.00. Med-E-Lert sells at retail in the United States for only $69.95 making it affordable for the average consumer.

Med-E-Lert can automatically dispense pills 1, 2, 3, or 4 times daily. Med-E-Lert has a loud buzzer and a 10mm blinking red light to alert people that it is time to take their medicine.

The Med-E-Lert is an excellent product to help people become more "medication compliant".