title: Prevalence, effectiveness, and characteristics of pharmacy-based medication synchronization programs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The burden of visiting pharmacies to fill medications is a central contributor to nonadherence to maintenance medications. Recently, pharmacies have begun offering services that align prescription fill dates to allow patients to pick up all medications on a single visit. We evaluated the prevalence and structure of synchronization programs and evidence of their impact on adherence and clinical outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed-methods approach consisting of semi-structured interviews, data from surveillance activities, and a systematic literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted interviews with opinion leaders from nonprofit advocacy organizations and exemplary synchronization programs. Program prevalence was determined using data from regular surveillance efforts. A literature review included Medline, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and general Internet searches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Synchronization programs exist in approximately 10% of independent, 6% of stand-alone chain, and 11% of retail store pharmacies. The majority of programs include a monthly pharmacist appointment and reminder communication. Programs reported the importance of pharmacist buy-in, technology to track and recruit patients, links to other healthcare services, and flexible solutions for managing costs and communication preferences. Although existing peer-reviewed literature suggests that synchronization improves adherence, more evidence is needed to evaluate its impact on patient-centered outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As medication synchronization programs shift directions and compete for patients and payer resources, it will be more important than ever to rigorously evaluate their ability to improve clinical outcomes while also providing the growing number of patients managing multiple chronic conditions with the highest level of patient engagement and consumer choice.
authors.forename: Alexis A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Krumme
authors.forename: Danielle L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Isaman
authors.forename: Samuel F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Stolpe
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dougherty
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Ste 3030, Boston, MA 02120. E-mail: nchoudhry@partners.org.
authors.forename: Niteesh K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Choudhry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000067490:Prescription Drug Overuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution; D015995:Prevalence; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs