Organizer Provides Practical Solution to Help Overcome The Harmful Effects of Medication Noncompliance

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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Tina Powell Public Relations Manager (513) Organizer Provides Practical Solution to Help Overcome The Harmful Effects of Medication Noncompliance MedCenter System features unique monthly pill stocking, talking alarms and visual aids Cincinnati, OH March 3, 2008 Prescription medicines are a crucial component of health management, yet a growing volume of research indicates a disturbing trend in consumer noncompliance. The MedCenter System monthly organizer was designed to overcome the challenges associated with keeping consumers on their medication regimens. Report by National Coalition Points to Dangers of Noncompliance A 2007 report by the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) chronicles the substantial medical and financial consequences of prescription noncompliance. The NCPIE is a coalition of more than 100 groups consumer and business organizations, healthcare professionals, government agencies and nongovernment standard setting associations. Highlights of the report include: Illness and premature death. The lack of medication adherence leads to unnecessary disease progression, disease complications, reduced functional capabilities, a lower quality of life, and even premature death. One study showed 49% of respondents said they had forgotten to take a prescribed medicine. Elderly most at risk. Lack of adherence is of particular concern among those aged 65 and over who, because they have more long-term, chronic illnesses, now buy 30% of all prescription medicines and often combine multiple medications over the course of a day. 1

2 An economic drain. Medication noncompliance has been associated with as many as 40% of admissions to nursing homes, and with an additional $2,000 a year per patient in medical costs for visits to physicians offices. The report estimates that poor medication adherence could be costing the United States $177 billion in total direct and indirect healthcare costs. The seriousness of failing to take medications hit home when my father was hospitalized twice after fainting episodes, a direct result of forgetting to take his blood pressure medication, says Martin Cooper, the inventor of The MedCenter System. The $18,000 for hospital stays was an eye opener, but coming up with a way to organize my parents medications and encourage their adherence was my true inspiration, he says. Cooper says he scoured the market for medication organizers, but found options to be either too limited, or too complicated and expensive. I thought there must be many others like myself who were getting involved with their aging parents medical needs and were finding the same lack of options, says Cooper. So what started as a labor of love for my parents ended up as a product that I feel can help many people. Visual and Audible Cues are Keys to Helping Change Behavioral Patterns The MedCenter System features a unique monthly stocking design, with 31 individual pill containers having four compartments available for morning, noon, evening and nighttime dosage times. The system itself is the ultimate visual cue, as it is large enough to be noticed by the user, but not so large as to clutter a counter top or bureau. Each dated pillbox has red and green color coding green indicates pills are to be taken, and once emptied, the pillbox is turned upside down with the red end showing. This allows individual users and caregivers to verify compliance at a glance. There also is a spot at the front of the system for quick and easy access to the current day s pillbox. The MedCenter System also features tri-date verification. Calendar dates on the pillboxes match the date on the easy-to-read LCD clock, and audible voice messages alert users of the date, as well as when it s time to take their medicine. The alarm has loud and extra loud settings for the hearing impaired, and repeats periodically until the alarm acknowledged button is pressed. 2

3 MedCenter Systems, LLC offers a family of products designed to help facilitate medication adherence. The MedCenter System has a suggested retail price of $69.95 with the talking LCD clock and $34.95 without it. The company also offers a one week MedCenterTravel Kit for $12.95 and the talking LCD alarm clock can be purchased individually for $ The Dakota Vibe watch ($195) features eight audible or vibrating alarms and comes with a rechargeable stand. The MedCenter 5-Alarm digital watch ($24.95) is the perfect option for younger people in need of a medication reminder. MedCenter System products can be found at Web and catalog-based retailers nationwide, such as Sky Mall, Solutions and First Street, as well as at Kroger pharmacies, amazon.com and on the company s e-commerce site: Press Note: Digital images, product photography and product photography samples are available by calling Tina Powell at (513) ; tpowell@medcentersystems.com. MedCenter Systems, LLC is a division of Cooper & Co., Inc., a Cincinnati-based designer, manufacturer, retailer and distributor of consumer products for more than 50 years. Medication Noncompliance Resource List Enhancing Prescription Medicine Adherence: A National Action Plan 3

4 Source: 2007 National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) Take As Directed: A Prescription Not Followed Source: 2006 National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Fact Sheet: Medicine Use and Older Adults Source: 2007 NCPIE Challenges for Improving Medication Adherence Source: 2006 The Journal of the American Medical Association Making Adherence Stick: It s Not Easy to Get Patients to Follow Directions Source: 2006 American Medical News The Silent Epidemic Source: 2006 American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) Prescription Drug Compliance a Significant Challenge for Many Patients, According to New National Survey Source: 2005 Wall Street Journal Online/HarrisInteractive Health-Care Poll 4

5 10179 Commerce Park Drive Cincinnati Ohio (513) The MedCenter System Monthly Organizer and Talking Reminder Name: MedCenter System Product Dim: 10 W x 8 D x 7.25 H Package Dim: W x 8.25 D x 7.75 H Shipping Wt: 3 lb 8 oz MedCenterSystems.com