title: Walgreens connected care: impact of managed therapy on adherence to medications used to treat multiple sclerosis and related comorbid conditions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Walgreens Connected Care Multiple Sclerosis (CCMS) treatment management program provides enhanced levels of monitoring, oversight, and care for patients taking MS disease-modifying agents. This study compared rates of adherence to MS medications for patients participating in the CCMS program for at least 6 months with those for patients participating for less than 6 months. For a subsample of patients, we also examined the relationship between adherence and the presence of fatigue or depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of patients new to the CCMS program and followed up for 1 year of participation. Adherence to MS medications was measured as the proportion of days covered, with propensity scores used to match the CCMS intervention group to the less-managed comparison group. The impact of program participation on the relationship between depression or fatigue and adherence over time was a separate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean proportion of days covered rates improved significantly in the group managed for at least 6 months compared with those who were less managed. Positive screenings for fatigue and depression reduced adherence in the less-managed group but not in patients with longer participation in the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the CCMS program significantly increased adherence to MS medications. This improved adherence was not negatively impacted by positive screenings for fatigue and depression.
authors.affiliation: Health Services and Outcomes Research, Walgreen Co, Deerfield, IL, USA (JD, BC, FS, ID); and Specialty Solutions Group, Walgreen Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (RM, KL).
authors.forename: Janeen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DuChane
authors.affiliation: Health Services and Outcomes Research, Walgreen Co, Deerfield, IL, USA (JD, BC, FS, ID); and Specialty Solutions Group, Walgreen Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (RM, KL).
authors.forename: Bobby
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Health Services and Outcomes Research, Walgreen Co, Deerfield, IL, USA (JD, BC, FS, ID); and Specialty Solutions Group, Walgreen Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (RM, KL).
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Staskon
authors.affiliation: Health Services and Outcomes Research, Walgreen Co, Deerfield, IL, USA (JD, BC, FS, ID); and Specialty Solutions Group, Walgreen Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (RM, KL).
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Health Services and Outcomes Research, Walgreen Co, Deerfield, IL, USA (JD, BC, FS, ID); and Specialty Solutions Group, Walgreen Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (RM, KL).
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Love
authors.affiliation: Health Services and Outcomes Research, Walgreen Co, Deerfield, IL, USA (JD, BC, FS, ID); and Specialty Solutions Group, Walgreen Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (RM, KL).
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Duncan