Meds compliance COVID ‘saviour’

EMBRACING technology, and medicines compliance apps in particular, will be key to supporting patients during the COVID-19, Guild Digital General Manager, Aaron D’Souza, believes.

Speaking at the Australian Pharmacy Professionals (APP) Conference online on Sat, D’Souza told pharmacists “medication compliance is going to be the saviour of the next six months”.

“While we’re focused on pandemic planning and focused on COVID-19, we cannot drop the ball on medicines compliance,” he said.

“Otherwise heartattacks will go up, otherwise other co-morbidities will go up and other chronic illnesses [will go up].

“It’s critically important especially now that we had the announcement that one month’s supply will be the rule.

“One month’s supply in a time of uncertainty can cause panic... so how do we use technology to overcome that?

“Use the app to say to your customers, ‘if you leave your scripts on file with us, and if you use the app, we will be able to plan out our workforce, plan out to make sure you have your medicines, we could even deliver it to you and we will message you a few days before your script is due’.

“There is no greater time to push the button on the apps like My Pharmacy Link [and MedAdvisor].

“If you’ve got GuildCare, if you’ve got access to My Pharmacy Link, there is no greater time.

“This is a call to action - make it happen now - medicine compliance is critical, [and] convenience to customers is critical.”