Henry Ford Health System introduces 'Pill Timer' for medication management

A leader in healthcare, Henry Ford Health System will introduce at its hospitals and pharmacies "The Pill Timer," representing a "breakthrough" designed to improve treatment outcomes and reduce adverse drug events often resulting in costly hospital admissions due to poor medication management by patients.

For the first time, pharmacists will provide free programmable timers with Rexam prescription vials, which give audio and visual alerts at prescribed intervals for medication dispensed at pharmacy counters. Rexam is the world's leading manufacturer of prescription vials; Med Time a leader in medication management solutions.  

According to Steve Duda, Director of Pharmacy at Henry Ford Health System, "the strategic alliance will enable Henry Ford Continued Care to help chronically ill patients manage their medication more effectively. The Pill-Timer is an important breakthrough for our patients. We're proud to be early adopters of this medication management system."  

Nationwide, poor medication management is a staggering problem estimated to cause 300,000 deaths and cost the U.S. economy $300 billion annually.

Rexam Sales Director Mike Vanderpol cited a growing recognition that a multidisciplinary approach to medication taking behavior is necessary for medication adherence. This  led to collaboration between Rexam, Henry Ford and Med Time  to promote a new model -- the "Medicine Education Team."

Pharmacists understand that medications should be kept in the original USP approved pharmacy vial as dispensed and medications must be taken at prescribed dosage intervals to be effective, said Craig Schreiber, President of Med Time Technology, Inc., (www.medtimetechnology.com).  Schreiber began development of The Pill Timer after his mother died partly as a result of poor medication management. .

Besides the medical benefits of taking medication on time, The Pill Timer provides enormous healthcare savings, said Ian Shendale, CEO of Med Time. One less hospital readmission reduces healthcare expense by $5,000 - $7,000. One less Emergency Room visit from medication error saves $500. 

Med Time's revolutionary medication management system is the first RxCAP designed to meet Rexam specifications and USP safety requirements. Another first is its One-Click Pill-Timer Closure. The Pill-Timer will be distributed at Henry Ford flagship locations, including at 1 Ford Place, Henry Ford Main Campus, West Grand Blvd. and the newest hospital in Bloomfield.