NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tri State Distribution has launched 1-2-3 Systems, which the company described as a “breakthrough” prescription packaging solution for helping patients adhere to their medications.

Tri State said Thursday that  1-2-3 Systems address one of the biggest challenges in patient compliance: confusing medication instructions, or “SIGS,” which cover everything from medicine dosage to routine. The company noted that these directions can vary significantly among prescribers and often puzzle patients, especially those taking multiple medications at different times in one day.

The 1-2-3 System simplifies the daily routine and enables pharmacies to easily handle a doctor’s medication substitution instructions in the middle of a patient’s prescription regimen, according to Tri State.  Each container can be fitted with a color-coded cap and frequency grid that matches colors with dosage timing and frequency.

In addition, an optional high-capacity pill tray can be synchronized with the containers, enabling customers to dose their own medications at home. It features high-volume compartments and a unique design that allows each individual compartment to be removed, providing convenience and portability and even custom advertising space for pharmacies, Tri State noted.

“Pharmacists have searched for years for a way to simplify medication instructions for patients who struggle to understand complicated medication schedules,” stated Joe Miceli, president of Tri State Distribution.

“Until now, pharmacies have tried using expensive pouch dispensing machines, time-consuming blister packs, or other products such as electronic caps that aren’t proactive in helping patients to take their medication correctly,” he explained. “Products that only serve to alert you if you’ve skipped a dose don’t help to remind you to take the right dose at the right time, and that is what adherence and compliance is all about.”

Tri State pointed out that 1-2-3 Systems also helps patients on medication synchronization programs and pharmacies, which are under pressure from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to boost their Star Ratings in health plans.

“1-2-3 is a breakthrough because it translates complex and varying physician orders into one common set of instructions that not only can help increase patient adherence and compliance, but also assist pharmacies in raising their performance in federal government quality ratings,” Miceli added.

Along with aiding patient compliance in med sync programs, 1-2-3 is compatibile with the latest automated dispensing systems, giving pharmacies tools to raise performance on key quality measurements and protect relationships with insurance providers, Tri State said.

“TSD works alongside pharmacists to develop and implement smart solutions to meet their customer and business needs,” commented Dave Miceli, vice president of Tri State Distribution. “1-2-3 is the latest in our line of products, programs and services to assist pharmacists in delivering the highest-quality care, education and support to their customers, while simultaneously strengthening their businesses and improving profits.”