Reducing Recurrent Heart Attacks Through Automated Medication Delivery

Challenge

Recurrent myocardial infarctions (MIs) were a key driver of mortality in specific regions, particularly among elderly, socially isolated patients with multiple comorbidities. Many were unable to visit GPs for prescription renewals, leading to medication non-adherence and preventable hospital readmissions. Existing manual prescription processes required patients to visit clinics post-discharge, which was impractical for this vulnerable group. As a result, many went without essential cardiovascular medication, significantly increasing the risk of recurrent MIs.

Solution

• Developed an automated prescription tracking system, ensuring patients received medications upon hospital discharge instead of relying on GP visits.

• Integrated digital tracking of subsidised medication distribution, allowing for real-time identification of adherence gaps and proactive intervention.

• Engaged frontline clinicians and pharmacists to align the new approach with existing workflows, ensuring smooth adoption.

Impact

✅ Recurrent MI rates reduced from 20% to 16%, preventing hundreds of avoidable hospitalisations.

✅ Saved £6,000 per recurrent patient by reducing hospital readmissions and long-term complications.

✅ Significantly improved medication adherence, ensuring high-risk patients continued treatment post-discharge.

The success of this intervention demonstrated that streamlining access to essential medication can drive measurable improvements in CVD outcomes, with potential for national-scale adoption.