MEDIA RELEASE – 2 April 2025
Australia-wide initiative to enhance medication adherence and fracture prevention for 30,000 Australians
A $1.1 million Consumer Health Literacy grant awarded to a healthcare collaboration between Healthily, Fred IT Group, The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), and Healthy Bones Australia will see the co-design and delivery of evidence-based health literacy resource packages, tailored to meet the diverse needs of patients.
Through the unique integration of Healthily’s patient education platform, GoShare, and Fred IT Group’s leading pharmacy dispensing software, Fred Dispense Plus, people with osteoporosis will receive the resource packages by SMS at the time their medication is dispensed. By providing patients with timely, quality medicines information the project aims to improve medication health literacy and see a reduction in fracture risks and improved health outcomes among people with osteoporosis.
“We know that poor medication adherence is a key factor in osteoporosis management, leading to increased risk of fractures and poorer long-term health outcomes for patients,” said Tina Campbell, CEO of Healthily. “By providing easy-to-understand, resources at the point of dispensing, we are ensuring that patients, particularly those from CALD communities, have the knowledge and tools they need to manage their condition effectively and improve their adherence to prescribed osteoporosis treatments.”
Paul Naismith, CEO of Fred IT Group, added, “This collaboration is an excellent example of how technology can play a key role in improving health. By automating the distribution of resources through community pharmacies, we are making it easier for patients to access the information they need to manage their osteoporosis and take their medications as prescribed, with the support of their pharmacist. This solution ensures that all patients, regardless of background, are supported in their journey to better bone health.”
The project will target 30,000 patients who have been prescribed osteoporosis medications, reaching them through 500 participating pharmacies across Australia. It is expected to significantly increase medication adherence and improve health outcomes over a 12-month period.
The initiative is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Pathology program.
About Healthily
Healthily is a health technology company specialising in patient education to improve health literacy and empower patients to play a more active role in their healthcare. Healthily’s patient education platform, GoShare, enables health professionals to send their patients tailored health information by email, SMS and voice AI phone calls.
About Fred IT Group
Fred IT Group is Australia’s largest provider of Pharmacy IT solutions, servicing more than 3000 pharmacies. Fred’s leadership in medication safety, management and eHealth during its 30 plus years includes electronic prescriptions, real-time prescription monitoring, cloud-based applications improving medication access and management, and the first digital script list.
About The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
PSA is the national Peak Body for Australia’s 40,000+ pharmacists, bringing together every pharmacist from every sector and connecting them with the resources and professional development they need to succeed. Through proactive advocacy, PSA ensures pharmacy will remain a rewarding and enjoyable career into the future.
About Healthy Bones Australia (HBA)
HBA is a national non-for-profit organisation and the peak body representing consumers living with osteoporosis. HBA is focused on increasing community and health professional awareness about poor bone health while promoting early diagnosis and improved management to prevent fractures. HBA advocates for osteoporosis to be a higher priority within Government health policy.
Media Contact:
Name: Dr Tina Campbell, CEO, Healthily
Phone: 0418 536 596
Email: tina.campbell@healthily.com.au