Participation in the Connected Care Multiple Sclerosis (CCMS) treatment management program for 6 months or more significantly increased medication adherence, regardless of positive screenings for depression and fatigue, according to a retrospective study of 939 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who filled prescriptions at Walgreens, 720 of whom were enrolled in the CCMS program.
Researchers compared rates of medication adherence among those enrolled in the program, which provided enhanced levels of monitoring, oversight, and care for patients taking MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), and found those who remained in the program for at least 6 months had better rates of mean proportion of days covered than those who were less managed.
In addition, positive screenings for depression and fatigue reduced adherence in the less managed group, but not in patients with longer participation in the program.
Citation: DuChane J, Clark B, Staskon F, Miller R, Love K, Duncan I. Walgreens Connected Care. Impact of managed therapy on adherence to medications used to treat multiple sclerosis and related comorbid conditions. Int J MS Care. 2015;17:57–64. doi: 10.7224/1537-2073.2013-051.