We know that text messaging is popping up in all sorts of unexpected places, but every once in a while we come across a statistic that seriously surprisies us. Case in point - 2 MILLION Walgreen's customers are signed up receive text message alerts whenever their prescriptions are ready:
Called Refill Reminder Text Alerts, the new service delivers a specific text message to any mobile phone that accepts text messages, notifying patients when an existing prescription is due for refill. This goes beyond a mere notification, as the prescription orders can then be completed with a simple “refill” reply. And it’s free to users.
Early indications are promising, as more than 2 million Walgreen subscribers currently are signed up for its Prescription Ready Text Alerts–which simply notify customers when a prescription order is ready for pickup.
This is more than a matter of convenience:
The new Refill Reminder Text Alerts program aims to increase patient health by increasing the rate of prescription refills. The article mentions that for every 100 new prescriptions, only 15-20 percent are refilled as prescribed.
