pLOG

2024-10-24

[Global Views] Implementing Smart Innovation to Advance Diverse Drug Support: "Digital Patient Support Program Management Platform" Enables More Timely, Quality Treatment

Digital transformation extends beyond mere technological applications - it requires breaking traditional frameworks and exploring new business models to drive continuous business advancement. How can Caho Strategic Consulting use digital innovation in its transformation from medical consultancy to a new pharmaceutical benefits platform to reduce patients' medication burdens and barriers, enabling more timely and suitable treatment options?

While Taiwan has a globally admired National Health Insurance system, there are still many coverage gaps for new medications. The main issue stems from the high out-of-pocket costs for new drugs, with 60% of cancer patients unable to afford treatment and choosing passive care options. Even for those who can afford treatment, patients still face many barriers in accessing or learning about relevant resources, making the road to recovery seem endless.

Complete Digital Product Line – Innovative Solutions to Assist Patients with Medication

"Our goal is to help patients during self-paid treatment, assessed by physicians to determine if they meet the prescription criteria, and then refer them to participate in pharmaceutical companies' free medication or financial support programs, reducing the burden on patients during treatment," said Sean Chang, Chairman and General Manager of Media-WIND Health Strategies. Observing the needs of patients in an aging society and the difficulties in new drug coverage by health insurance, Media-WIND Health Strategies launched the "PatientsForce Patient Assistance Program Platform" in 2015 to help pharmaceutical companies directly provide patient medication programs, supporting patients during the period when new drugs are not yet covered by insurance, and reducing their financial and treatment burdens while providing patient-centered care and health services.

To date, Media-WIND Health Strategies serves more than 80 medication support programs, with nearly 300 partner hospitals, serving tens of thousands of patients annually. The key to successfully establishing this business model is digital transformation.

Media-WIND Health Strategies's COO, Evie Wang, emphasized that Media-WIND Health Strategies was one of the pioneers in Taiwan's "Patient Assistance Program Platform." The biggest challenge at the initial stage was the complex and extensive "management mechanism." From patient admission to the completion of treatment, it was necessary to establish interaction records for each stakeholder while also ensuring drug safety monitoring. With digital implementation, handling the document applications, reviews, and personal and medication management for pharmaceutical companies, patients, and hospitals, can now be completed in as little as ten minutes through a fast review mechanism, improving compliance and administrative efficiency.

Media-WIND Health Strategies develops a digital management platform for Patient Support Programs (PSPs), enabling patients to receive real-time and compliant support for new medication therapies.

Digital Application for ESG Implementation

In 2018, Caizhao began its digital transformation to enhance management quality and efficiency. By establishing a digital management platform for the Patient Assistance Program, Caizhao implemented case management with a focus on "quality" and "compliance." The company launched "MedicalPass," integrating the case management system with LINE, making it easier for patients to use. They also developed the MediPASS donation drug management system, continually optimizing the platform to offer follow-up reminders, AI customer service, health education, and integrating data-driven healthcare for improved patient outcomes. Since digitalization, the number of patients enrolled in the program has grown nearly 100% annually, benefiting more patients.

Media-WIND Health Strategies Wins First Prize for Innovative Business Model and ESG Special Award at the 2024 Digital Transformation Breakthrough Awards for SMEs

Media-WIND Health Strategies's remarkable digital transformation has been recognized with the first prize for Innovative Business Model and the ESG Special Award at the 2024 Digital Transformation Breakthrough Awards for SMEs. Looking ahead, Caizhao plans to expand its Patient Assistance Program platform to enterprises, aligning with the corporate philosophy of SDGs to help employees and their families build future healthcare capital. Sean Chang, Chairman and General Manager, stated, "PatientsForce is not just a digital system; it represents the practice of corporate responsibility. We hope more medical institutions and pharmaceutical companies will join us. Through innovative business models and digital tools, we aim to make new drug treatments more affordable for patients and provide comprehensive care. At the same time, we can support the National Health Insurance system, addressing clinical patient support issues and fostering a win-win concept in the medical, patient, and pharmaceutical sectors under the Third Health Insurance Plan."