Mail Order Pharmacies Benefit Diabetes' Patients, Less Likely to Visit ER

Many of us may be unaware that we can receive medications through the mail. Yet a recent study shows that this can be particularly beneficial for those with diabetic health conditions.

Researchers examined 17,217 adult Kaiser Permanente members with diabetes who had been first prescribed heart medications in 2006 and followed up with them after a 3 year period. The study found that participants using mail order pharmacies for such medications and under the age of 65 had a significant reduction in the number of emergency room visits than those who would have picked up their prescriptions, at 33.8 percent vs. 40.2 percent, respectively.

"Overall, we didn't see any safety concerns," Julie a Schmittdiel, Ph.D., research scientist at the Kaiser Permanent Division of Research and the study's lead author said, via a press release. "For the vast majority of people, mail order pharmacy works well."

The study didn't looked at reasons for why the use of mail order pharmacies were associated with fewer ER visits. Yet researchers suspect that further research will reveal that many patients who travel for prescriptions could be at a greater risk for injury if they have a disability, time constraint or limited means of transportation.

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via the American Journal of Managed Care.