Imagine receiving an SMS message to remind you to take your medication. SMS messages can be automatically generated by the pharmacy throughout the day to remind patients when to take their medication.

In today’s society the use of mobile phones is rapidly increasing. In 2007 more than 88% of individuals owned at least one mobile phone:
18-39 years: 94%
40-59 years: 85%
60+ years: 73%

Mobiles mean contact is possible anywhere, anytime, quickly and cost effectively.

SMS reminders are suitable for:

• For anyone taking medication
• Short term doses or antibiotic medication
• Monitoring use of particular types of medication
• School children
• Elderly patients living at home

SMS can be used to:
1. Remind patients to take their medication:
The Webstercare Software at the pharmacy can be setup to automatically send the SMS message at the specified dosage times for each patient. This provides a very efficient way to remind patients who are taking regular medication, antibiotics or short course medication. This could assist a patient who frequently forgets their medication, or may require a short course of medication.

2. Monitoring Compliance:
For patients who need their medication compliance monitored, the SMS system can be used to request a response from the patient for each dosage time. The patient is sent a reminder at the specified dosage time and is asked to respond to this SMS with a YES reply or a three letter code which uniquely identifies the dose for the patient. This code is printed on the back of the patient’s Webster-pak on each blister of medication.

If the medication compliance is of particular concern, a SMS can be sent to the carer or family member of the patient to alert them to a dose that has been missed. This has proved to be particularly effective in the case of monitoring Clozapine patients.