For Immediate Release — Wednesday, September 8, 2003
Wilson Health Information finds use of foreign pharmacies highest among Mass /Discount pharmacies lowest among independent pharmacy customers. Use of Mail /Online pharmacies more than doubled to seventeen percent since 2001. New reports identify top rated Pharmacies, Pharmacy Benefit and Health Insurers.
NEW HOPE, PA – (PR NEWSWIRE) – September 8, 2003 – Wilson Health Information, America's leading pharmacy satisfaction research firm, found that 5.5% of pharmacy customers purchased prescription medications from a foreign country such as Canada or Mexico to save money. Patrons using Mass/Discount pharmacies were most likely to have used foreign pharmacies (Figure 1). “The customers who were without health insurance or without a prescription drug benefit were the most likely to feel the impact of increasing prescription drug costs, particularly seniors on Medicare and others without health insurance" said Jim Wilson, President of Wilson Health Information.”
Consumers were most likely to use Chain drug stores to fill prescriptions (43%) and 17% said they used Mail/Online pharmacies, an increase from 7% in 2001 (Figure 2). “Overall pharmacy satisfaction increased in all types of pharmacies,” noted Wilson. Independent pharmacy customers continue to be most satisfied and most loyal to their pharmacy. Compared to last year, many consumers were attracted by the appeal of home delivery of prescriptions and were more satisfied with pharmacies that provided convenient pharmacy hours, 24 hour access, Drive through/pick up windows, useful web sites and disease management programs such as Bone Density (Osteoporosis), Cholesterol and Diabetes screening, treatment counseling and training in addition to being able to get vaccinations at their pharmacy.
The WilsonRx® Survey, covering more than 300 topics, was mailed to more than 25,000 household shoppers in the top markets representing 46% of the US household population during July 2003 (Figure 3). The WilsonRx® reports provide healthcare executives with information about levels of satisfaction and importance ratings with more than 45 pharmacy related issues by store type and for the top 25 chains. The reports also provide information on 40 different Pharmacy Benefit and Health Insurance Issues for the top PBMs and Health Insurers and perceptions of care for more than 35 medical conditions such as allergy, arthritis, asthma, and diabetes (Figure 4).
Wilson Health Information, LLC, is an independent, privately owned healthcare consumer research company that provides unique insight into pharmacy, pharmacy benefit, health insurance and treatment satisfaction. For more information, contact Jim Wilson at (215) 862-4581 or contact us.
THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE USED FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM WILSON HEALTH INFORMATION, LLC
