Walgreens wants to take some of the pain out prescription refills.
The Deerfield-based company recently announced a new system that alerts customers of prescription refills via text message.
The drug store says the "Refill Reminder Text Alerts" notifies patients when existing prescriptions are due for refill. Users just respond with "refill" and the prescription will be filled and ready for pick up.
Walgreens said there is no cost for the service for mobile and smartphone users other than standard rates under wireless carriers.
The company believes text messages are not just about using current technology, it is also a way to improve medication adherence rates.
"Tools and personalized services that can help patients remain compliant with their prescription regimens can be effective in lowering health care costs and improving patient care," said Cheryl Pegus, Walgreens Chief Medical Officer.
This is the next step for Walgreens after enabling mobile users to order refills by scanning barcodes on a prescription bottle in a feature called "Refill by Scan."
Pharmacy patients can sign up for mobile text reminders at any Chicagoland Walgreens or online at www.walgreens.com/textalerts.
