In our first two blog posts on challenges related to multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment, we addressed the need to build awareness in order to reduce occurrences of delayed or incorrect diagnosis of MS patients, and then how to overcome some patients’ reluctance to initiate treatment for the disease.
But helping a patient diagnosed with MS to begin treatment is only part of the journey. Forty percent of drug-treated MS patients stop taking their disease-modifying therapy (DMT) three years after they start, according to a study published in the March 2019 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology. “A sizable number of patients with MS provide implausible rationalizations for not taking DMTs, which the authors of this study attribute to avoidance coping,” it reported.
40% of drug-treated MS patients stop taking their disease-modifying therapy three years after they start, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
In this blog post, we will discuss the challenge of treatment adherence, along with opportunities for pharma manufacturers to engage with healthcare providers and patients and better support therapy adherence.
The reasons patients stop taking disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) include:
According to a systematic review published online by Disability and Rehabilitation, “people with multiple sclerosis use emotional and avoidance coping strategies more than other types of coping, particularly in the early stages of the disease.” The review went on to say, however, that “considering individual or disease-related factors could help healthcare professionals in identifying those less likely to adapt to multiple sclerosis. This information could also be used to provide client-centered rehabilitation for people living with multiple sclerosis based on their individual responses and perceptions for coping.”
Pharma manufacturers can help with issues related to nonadherence through a combination of digital messaging and resources that begin at the moment patients start therapy, integrate into their daily lives, and are personalized to their individual needs and experience. Download our latest infographic to learn more about these digital solutions.
Keep an eye out for our final blog post in this series, available on November 18, where we will look at the full picture of the awareness, initiation, and adherence challenges in MS, and summarize the key themes and takeaways for pharma brand teams. In the meantime, explore how the OptimizeRx Dynamic Audience Activation Platform helps overcome the challenges of treatment initiation in MS and other diseases, or take a look at some of our results.
OptimizeRx is at the forefront of revolutionizing the way healthcare professionals interact with patients and manage medication adherence. With its innovative solutions, OptimizeRx makes it easier for healthcare providers to support their patients in navigating the complexities of medication management, while offering patients the tools they need to stay healthy and engaged in their care.
For healthcare providers looking to improve medication adherence, enhance patient communication, and reduce the financial barriers to treatment, OptimizeRx offers a seamless and effective digital health solution. Together, we can move closer to a world where adherence is the norm, not the exception—and better health outcomes follow.