Prescription Text Alert

More and more people are using text messaging as a key form of communication.  In the beginning, I fought the texting bug until I finally discovered that it was a quick and easy way to communicate with family and friends throughout the day. It was only a matter of time before texting made its way into healthcare as a way to remind patients to take their medications. Walgreens have a new prescription text alert system that text you when your prescription is ready or if there are any status changes. The idea of using text messages to encourage patients to take their medication is to increase medication compliance. By letting patients know exactly when their medication is ready, more patients will take their medication at the right time. The feedback I received from the patients that signed up at Walgreens is generally positive. However, they could have added a way to actually remind patients when to take their medication with either text messages or notifications. Furthermore, you can even chat live with a Walgreens' pharmacist to get answers and advice online for your general health and medication questions. As Walgreens dive into the mobile health market, I expect other pharmacies or healthcare providers to bring new and innovative technology to patients as well.