At launch, the Web site and hotline will feature detailed information about six topics: Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), Hypertension, and Medication Safety. New topics will be added regularly, and a unique "Ask the Pharmacist" online tool, which launches today, will allow residents to submit questions directly to licensed pharmacists.
"We are very excited about this new format in which patients can learn about their condition and ask questions from the convenience and privacy of their own home," said Mary Sullivan, Director of MassMedLine. "Our goal is to continue to enhance access to critical health information for residents across the state, and we hope that both patients and caregivers will utilize the service."
MassMedLink to Health was made possible by The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, which awarded an $84,500 grant to MassMedLine in December 2006. The service will target patients with issues of adherence, compliance and affordability through individualized and interactive technology and will utilize existing MassMedLine clinical pharmacy staff. The Web service and hotline won't be restricted to office hours, and brochures promoting the new services will be distributed to patients and health care professionals across the state.
MassMedLine is a public-private partnership between the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. MassMedLine is a free non-profit program that assists Massachusetts residents in obtaining affordable prescription drugs and information about their medication.
