How Can Pharma Manufacturers Improve Patient Engagement in 2025?
Patient engagement is a critical factor for brand success. Not only does patient engagement benefit patients by addressing unmet needs more effectively, but it has also proven to be a powerful driver of financial value. A groundbreaking study revealed that an investment of $100,000 in patient engagement could increase net present value and expected net present value by more than 500-fold the investment – the equivalent of accelerating a pre-phase 2 product launch by 2.5 years.
By leveraging strong patient engagement strategies, pharmaceutical companies can enhance patient access to their specialty-lite and retail brands and experience improved program enrollment, medication adherence, and brand loyalty – ultimately driving better health outcomes and brand success. In this blog, we break down the top patient engagement initiatives that manufacturers should consider to strengthen outcomes.
1) Develop More Comprehensive Patient Support Programs
The best way to implement a comprehensive patient support program is through a digital hub that meets patients’ expectations for digital healthcare. By integrating key services, including benefits verification, prior authorization, and adherence support, this technology-driven approach streamlines the patient journey by automating routine processes, providing real-time support, and enhancing patient access. It also allows manufacturers to meet each patient’s unique needs while optimizing resource allocation and generating valuable data and insights.
2) Deliver Clear Cost Information and Prescription Updates
A user-friendly, digital experience helps patients manage their health and connect with their care teams more easily, which can lead to better access and adherence. For example, you can provide real-time transparency on prescription costs and status through automated text messages – if you’re interested in seeing what’s possible, check out how this works on PhilRx. Through direct communication channels, patients can understand out-of-pocket expenses, insurance coverage details, and available copay assistance programs. They can also track their prescriptions and manage refills, right on their phone.
3) Implement AI-Driven Communication
Pharmaceutical commercialization teams can improve patient engagement by leveraging machine learning algorithms to tailor messaging and education content delivered through chatbots, mobile apps, and other digital channels which may boost overall patient satisfaction.
4) Expand Telehealth Services
Connecting with healthcare providers through telehealth platforms improves patient engagement by enhancing accessibility, convenience, and continuity of care - particularly for those with mobility challenges, time conflicts, or who live in rural areas. Integrating with telehealth also enables brand teams to gather valuable data on treatment efficacy and patient experiences, ultimately fostering stronger patient relationships and potentially reducing healthcare costs.
5) Employ Gamification Strategies
Pharmaceutical manufacturers can enhance patient engagement and access by integrating gamification into their support programs. Examples include offering:
Points for interacting with educational materials
Challenges that promote health behaviors
Social features for patient connection
This approach can transform routine healthcare activities into interactive experiences that potentially increase patient engagement. In a retrospective analysis of a digital therapeutic mobile app that combined gamification, education, reminders, community, and incentives, participants demonstrated significant success in maintaining optimal medication adherence over time.
6) Adopt an Omnichannel Engagement Strategy
By implementing a seamless omnichannel strategy, pharma companies ensure patients can engage through their preferred communication channels, whether it's through social media, email, texting, or in-person interactions. This approach allows for personalized, consistent messaging across multiple touchpoints, improving the patient experience. It also enables brand teams to reach a broader audience, provide timely information, and offer more convenient support, which may contribute to better brand outcomes and loyalty. This can also be integrated into a larger direct-to-consumer (DTC) program that brings together omnichannel marketing, telemedicine, and a digital patient and HCP experience that includes integrated pharmacy services and PA processing – watch this webinar for an in-depth guide to incorporating DTC into your brand strategy.
Let’s Partner for Better Patient Outcomes
Brand teams have unprecedented opportunities to enhance patient engagement, improve patient outcomes and drive financial value along the way. The PhilRx Digital Hub is a powerful solution designed for novel retail and specialty-lite brands. Book a demo today to see how PHIL can transform your patient support programs.
