For Immediate Release — Tuesday, January 21, 2003
WilsonRx® Diabetes Treatment Report Points to Opportunities for Pharmacists to Help Diabetes Patients
NEW HOPE, PA – (PR NEWSWIRE) – January 21, 2003 – Wilson Health Information, America's leading pharmacy satisfaction research firm, released results from the 2002 WilsonRx® Diabetes Treatment Report showing that over 25% of Diabetes patients are not successful in controlling their condition; resulting in missed work, hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
With the growing prevalence and costs associated with diabetes, Wilson Health Information surveyed a nationwide sample of 18,000 pharmacy customers. Among those surveyed, diabetes ranked 7th among conditions reported with 22% of respondents reporting that they or someone in their household sought treatment for Diabetes. Non-insulin dependent Type II - diabetes represented the largest segment with 15%; followed by insulin-dependent Type II diabetes (5%) and Type I insulin-dependent diabetes (3 %.) Diabetes patients frequently suffer from multiple chronic conditions such as high blood pressure (70%), high cholesterol (50%), Arthritis (48%), Allergies (38%) and other conditions.
A follow-up survey of 1,000 Diabetes respondents found that those with the highest A1C levels reported that the disease had the greatest impact on their life, including: Hypoglycemia (17%), ER Visit (8%), hospitalizations (5%) and missed work (6%) averaging six days. Nearly one in four patients indicated they were not successful in controlling their diabetes and only one in five controlled it “very well.”
Fifty-seven percent of diabetes patients took oral medications and they were more satisfied with newer agents and those that offered once daily dosing convenience. Patients were more likely to use insulin pens and pumps when treated by Endocrinologists. Patients currently using pens were more highly satisfied and likely to feel they were "in control" of their Diabetes compared to those using traditional vials and syringes.
“Findings indicate the opportunity for pharmacists to help the growing number of Diabetes patients to manage their disease and medications,” said Jim Wilson President. “Pharmacists can provide training, counseling and reminders to receive important tests and exams,” The WilsonRx® Diabetes Treatment Report also contains detailed information on patients' perceptions of their medication, glucose testing device and insulin brand in addition to levels of satisfaction with their pharmacy, pharmacy benefit and health insurance.
Wilson Health Information, LLC, a privately owned healthcare consumer research company that provides unique insight into pharmacy, pharmacy benefit, health insurance and treatment related issues. For more information, contact Jim Wilson at (215) 862-4581 or visit www.wilsonrx.com or contact us.
THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE USED FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM WILSON HEALTH INFORMATION, LLC
