Associated Press - December 9, 2009 1:44 PM ET
CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois state employees with diabetes, heart disease, lung problems or nerve disorders will get medication help in a new test project.
In the study announced Wednesday, Medco Health Solutions will monitor prescriptions to ensure patients follow doctors orders. It will note when recommended drugs haven't been prescribed, and alert pharmacists electronically.
Gov. Pat Quinn says Medco research shows that more than 25,000 state employees and relatives may not be taking medicine needed to stay healthy or following doctors' orders. As a result, they may end up sicker and needing more costly treatment.
Quinn says the study's goal is to deliver better care at lower costs.
The University of Illinois at Chicago's college of pharmacy will train community pharmacists on how to address these issues with patients during the 26-week study.
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