According to a national study by Guideline Inc., one of the nation's largest providers of custom business research and analysis, medication non-compliance continues to be a significant health issue among the U.S. population. In cooperation with Med Ad News, a leading pharmaceutical business publication, Guideline conducted an online survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults and 100 primary-care physicians in order to study the extent of non-compliance, attitudes about taking medication, and possible approaches to aid compliance.

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 26, 2007 -- According to a national study by Guideline Inc. (OTCBB: GDLN), one of the nation's largest providers of custom business research and analysis, medication non-compliance continues to be a significant health issue among the U.S. population.

In cooperation with Med Ad News, a leading pharmaceutical business publication, Guideline conducted an online survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults in order to study the extent of non-compliance, attitudes about taking medication, and possible approaches to aid compliance. To supplement the consumer viewpoint, Guideline also interviewed 100 primary-care physicians to get their perspective.

The survey reveals nearly six in 10 (59%) of those interviewed admitted to one or more non-compliant behaviors in the past year, with forgetting to take a dose the most prevalent non-compliant behavior. Non-compliance is widespread among all demographic segments and other key segments of the U.S. population, but respondents under the age of 55 taking two to three prescription medications for the treatment of insomnia, incontinence, depression, pain, diabetes, asthma, anxiety, and arthritis are especially prone to behavioral non-compliance.

Guideline determined that, in total, about two in three respondents are non-compliant based on past year behavior or expressed attitudes--a worrisome number with serious implications for U.S. healthcare policy.

"These findings underscore the fact that issues of compliance need to be closely monitored as the U.S. population ages and increasingly relies on medications to extend and increase the quality of life," said Morris Whitcup, Ph.D., Managing Director of Guideline's pharmaceutical research practice.

The percentage of consumers who report being non-compliant lines up fairly closely with physician estimates. On average, physicians report that 51% of their patients are somewhat, not very, or not at all compliant. Guideline asked physicians to list the top three causes of non-compliance. Patients' inability to pay for medications tops the list, closely followed by a high number of medications taken by a patient and lack of patient knowledge of health issues.

To help identify new approaches or programs to improve compliance, Guideline asked consumers about possible programmatic components. More than half of consumers showed interest in a discount program for those who renew prescriptions on time and a 24-hour/7-days a week toll-free number to get information about a specific medication.

Dr. Whitcup will present the full survey findings Wednesday, June 27 from 8 to 10 a.m. EST at an event co-sponsored by Guideline and Med Ad News at the Princeton Marriott in Princeton, NJ. A panel of pharmaceutical industry executives will respond to the results and participate in an interactive Q&A session.

In addition to Guideline's live event on June 27, Med Ad News published a supplement with the full Guideline Trend Report and featured other relevant news regarding medication compliance in June.

For additional information on this study, please contact Dr. Morris S. Whitcup at 212-329-1001 or via e-mail

About Guideline Inc.
Founded in 1969, Guideline (OTC Bulletin Board: GDLN) is the nation's premier provider of customized research and analysis designed to help companies make more informed decisions about critical business issues. Guideline's suite of research capabilities includes Custom Market Research, Strategic Intelligence, and On-Demand Research. Guideline specializes in nearly all major industries, including healthcare and pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods, financial and business services, media and communications, technology, and manufacturing. Guideline, Inc. is located at 625 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, 10011. More information is available by calling 212-645-4500 or visiting www.guideline.com.

About Med Ad News
The pharmaceutical industry's publication of record for 25 years, Med Ad News provides broad coverage and incisive analysis of the issues, events, trends, and strategies shaping pharmaceutical business, marketing, and sales. More than 16,000 readers - comprising corporate executives, marketing, sales, and product managers - receive Med Ad News 12 times annually. For more information, call Engel Publishing Partners at 215-867-0044, or visit www.pharmalive.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
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