Biotechnology Healthcare - September/October 2008 - (Page 37)

2007). Intelecare has developed two basic products: IntelecareBasic, a free service that consists of an e-mail medication reminder system, and IntelecarePlus, which adds text messaging and voice mail messaging to the basic service. The program offers four basic reminders: a vitals reminder (“check blood pressure”); a daily reminder (“take morning blood pressure medication”); an appointment reminder, and a refill reminder. Intelecare also monitors U.S. Food and Drug Administration warnings and important patient information, and will warn consumers of possible changes in medication efficacy or safety. Intelecare’s product is easily integrated into third-party Web sites, such as employer servers. Employers may use this product to inform employees of “well-worker” initiatives, e.g., to encourage participation in smoking cessation programs or employee health walks, or to distribute health-related information. Information is collected in aggregate so that no patient information is ever shared with third-party sources. Employees must opt in to this service. This product augments healthy em- ployee initiatives, aims to reduces absenteeism due to medication noncompliance, provides a safety net for patients with complicated conditions, and delivers important educational and promotional messages to target audiences. Customers can also create voice mail reminders for their family members who may have complex regimens and need daily prompting to manage their medical conditions. Intelecare has approximately 3 million subscribers to whom it delivers 5.3 million active reminders daily, and these reminders work with all mobile service providers. An unlimited number of messages is possible; each is encrypted and can be reviewed only by the recipient. Intelecare also has developed a way to expand its consumer base at a reduced cost through its InteleMD program. This program allows physicians to offer the service to patients to help them adhere to their medication regimen. Not only do patients receive this product at a reduced cost, but it also leverages the doctor’s recommendation with the goal of improving compliance and enhancing the physician-patient partnership. The company claims that its system helps to keep patients compliant longer than the national average. Intelecare’s medication reminder system SMART PILLBOX InforMedix’s Med-eMonitor system offers a personal electronic storage and monitoring device that has been dubbed the “smart pillbox.” This device can store and track up to 25 different medications, and uses musical chimes to help patients remember to take their medications at the right time. It is easy to use, portable, and has a 2-week battery life. Patients receive personalized health information and reports on medication dosing, administration, and health status. Patients are able to input such health information as blood pressure and blood sugar readings into the device, and the accumulated data reflect overall health status. If a value appears abnormal, the device may ask the patient “Are you sure?”; if the patient confirms the abnormal value, a health alert is activated. Med-eMonitor also provides information on medication interactions with alerts such as “Please do not take this medication with grapefruit juice.” The device comes with a communication cradle used for charging and transmitting data via a phone line. Patient information is synchronized daily provided that the device is placed on the cradle. If a patient fails to place the device on the cradle overnight, an alert is sent to caregivers. Data can be sent to a secure Web site accessible only to authorized health providers (e.g., pharmacists, physicians, and family members) who have been provided with a username and password. The site is HIPAA compliant. InforMedix, based in Rockville, Md., also has collaborated with ADT’s home health security division, an arrangement that gives customers the option of having their health information relayed to nurses and nurse practitioners. The system can arrange appointments at specific clinical sites. The three levels of service (family and friend monitoring, ADT monitoring, and nurse care manager monitoring) provide a comprehensive set of options. Thus far, no usability issues have been reported, and the company reports a consumer satisfaction rate between 94 and 100 percent. Among other locations, the device is in place at the University of Penn- SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 · BIOTECHNOLOGY HEALTHCARE 37

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Biotechnology Healthcare - September/October 2008

Biotechnology Healthcare - September/October 2008 Openers Editorial/David B. Nash, MD, MBA Contents At a Glance: Multiple Sclerosis Drug Track Personalized Medicine Healthcare Reform’s Effects on Biologic Access Breast Cancer Status Testing: A Crapshoot With Deadly Odds Trends, Issues, and Perspectives In the Management of MS So High-Tech, Yet So Simple The Evolution of Ascertaining the Value Proposition Specialty Pharmacy Employer to Employer Health Plan Confidential Trends

Biotechnology Healthcare - September/October 2008

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