Analysis: Aetna Specialty Pharmacy users achieve high adherence rates

HARTFORD, Conn. Patients using a health insurer’s specialty pharmacy have shown higher medication adherence, according to a recent internal analysis.

Aetna announced last week results of the analysis, showing that patients receiving medications through Aetna Specialty Pharmacy achieved more than 95% adherence rates when treating such diseases as HIV and AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, hepatitis C, pulmonary arterial hypertension, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis – conditions that often require self-administration of shots of expensive medications and adherence to complex dosing schedules.

Patients with hepatitis C achieved the highest adherence rates, at 97.39%, followed by 97.21% for pulmonary arterial hypertension patients and 97% for HIV patients. The lowest rate, 93.38%, was found among asthma patients.

“This analysis confirms that the personal attention members receive through Aetna Specialty Pharmacy’s care management program has a positive impact on medication adherence,” Aetna Pharmacy Management chief clinical officer Edmund Pezalla said in a statement. “Our coordinated care management approach has helped thousands of Aetna members with the most common chronic conditions stay on their doctor’s recommended treatment plan, which contributes to a healthier member population.”