VoiceTech & VoicePort Announce Strategic Alliance
Out-Bound Proactive Pharmacy Messaging
Venice, FL February 15, 2010
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VoiceTech announced today that they have entered into a Strategic Alliance with VoicePort. VoicePort is a Rochester, NY based leading developer of advanced speech recognition applications focusing on out-bound proactive notification and messaging.
"VoiceTech has an unprecedented deployment success with integrating its pharmacy productivity solutions, including automated telephone refills (IVR module) to pharmacy management database systems (PMDS). Over the years they have assembled an impressive list of PMDS vendors to which they have been able to establish strong relationships," said Christopher Mann, President and CEO of VoicePort. "The VoiceTech - VoicePort alliance will provide pharmacies across North America access to our hosted Out-Bound PharmaPhonetics proactive patient messaging system in early 2010."
Software as a Service Model allows sophisticated proactive customer communications
VoiceTech has been successful in developing in-bound and out-bound IVR solutions that are typically deployed at the pharmacy location. VoicePort's advanced speech technology and hosting capabilities will be providing pharmacy customers a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. "In a SaaS model there is no further capital outlay for the pharmacy to obtain a very sophisticated proactive customer notification system," said Tim Garofalo VoiceTech CEO and President.
Interactive Outbound Speech Solutions - Changing the Game for patient adherence Solutions
Adding an interactive component to outbound calls increases impact by engaging customers with actionable options. Interactive outbound can be very effective in notify customers in a timely manner, creating customer demand on the spot, cementing customer loyalty and at the same time increasing revenue for clients. Interactive outbound capability delivers on the promise of creating natural conversations to improve patient adherence whether the client is a retail pharmacy or a pharmaceutical brand.
The lack of patient medication adherence has been termed "the other drug problem." For pharmacies, unfilled prescriptions amount to an estimated $8 billion annual revenue loss1, with almost one third - 31% - of all prescriptions never being filled.2 Finding a solution to impact patient compliance and refill behavior could not only improve adherence, but would also provide additional pharmacy revenue, by reducing re-stock costs from prescriptions that are not picked up, drive other in-store purchases, provide better customer service, and increase customer loyalty.
VoicePort's PharmaPhonetics solutions when tested in a double blind, controlled pharmacy based study showed that proactive, interactive out-bound calls to patients increased prescription refills between 25-30%. The solution also reduced the inbound pharmacy call volumes, increased patient adherence thereby increasing the patient days on therapy. Interactive calls were able to increase patient satisfaction, loyalty, and in-store purchases by increasing the frequency of store visits. Today's busy consumers appreciate the convenience of single call resolution, particularly if the application is customer-centric and easy to use.
Q1 Availability
"A VoicePort - VoiceTech Application Programming Interface (API) driven by customer feedback is committed for delivery in early Q1 2010. Both companies have APIs for pharmacy modules and have delivered service independently. It was a relatively straight forward task to combine the two company's APIs while leveraging each company's unique strength," said Christopher Mann. "One of the reasons we choose to partner is the synergies of both companies; it provides a very powerful product and alliance."
About VoicePort
VoicePort provides advanced speech IVR applications with expertise in VUI design, database and application integration, and workflow management. Our tailored solutions reduce customer service expense and provide natural user experiences. Market focus areas include Healthcare, Media and Newspapers.
About VoiceTech
For nearly two decades, VoiceTech has been providing solutions that positively impact a pharmacy's work environment and increase customer satisfaction. VoiceTech's technology automates the refill reminder, patient refill ordering and doctor authorization process, helping patients remain compliant while at the same time taking a tremendous workload off the pharmacy staff. Recognizing that every pharmacy is different, our solutions are available individually or in any combination to meet pharmacy specific needs and budget.
1
Jackson RA, Worthen DB, Barrett CW. The financial aspects of improved refill management. Practice Opportunities. Cinncincati, Ohio : Proctor & Gamble Health Care; 1998:1-15.
2
Peterson AM, Takiya L, Finkey R. Meta analysis of trials of interventions to improve medication adherence. American Journal of Health System Pharmacists; 60(7):657-665, 2003.
