Pill Bottle Reminds You To Take The Medicine
Henry Ford Health System Wednesday said it will introduce a new medicine bottle cap that includes a clock that reminds patients when to take the next pill.
"The Pill Timer" was developed by Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based Med Time Technology Inc.
The hospital and the company said the $4.95 bottle cap is designed to improve treatment outcomes and reduce adverse drug events that can result in costly hospital admissions due to poor medication management by patients.
For the first time, pharmacists will provide free programmable timers with Rexam prescription vials, which give audio and visual alerts at prescribed intervals for medication dispensed at pharmacy counters. England-based Rexam is the world's leading manufacturer of prescription vials.
"The strategic alliance will enable Henry Ford Continued Care to help chronically ill patients manage their medication more effectively," said Steve Duda, director of pharmacy at Henry Ford Health System. "The Pill Timer is an important breakthrough for our patients. We're proud to be early adopters of this medication management system."
Nationwide, poor medication management is estimated to cause 300,000 deaths and cost the U.S. economy $300 billion annually.
Rexam sales director Mike Vanderpol cited a growing recognition that a multidisciplinary approach to medication taking behavior is necessary for medication adherence. This led to collaboration between Rexam, Henry Ford and Med Time to promote a new model -- the "Medicine Education Team."
Pharmacists understand that medications should be kept in the original USP approved pharmacy vial as dispensed and medications must be taken at prescribed dosage intervals to be effective, said Craig Schreiber, president of Med Time Technology. Schreiber began development of The Pill Timer after his mother died partly as a result of poor medication management. .
Besides the medical benefits of taking medication on time, The Pill Timer provides enormous healthcare savings, said Ian Shendale, CEO of Med Time. One less hospital readmission reduces healthcare expense by $5,000 to $7,000. One less emergency room visit from medication error saves $500.
The Pill-Timer will be distributed at Henry Ford flagship locations, including at 1 Ford Place, Henry Ford Main Campus, West Grand Boulevard and the newest hospital in Bloomfield Township.
More at www.medtimetechnology.com.
(c) 2010, WWJ Newsradio 950. All rights reserved.
