Product Management Case Study: Improving Medication Adherence Tracking
Turning a Prototype Into a Scalable Solution for Pharmacists
Overview
Pharmacists often struggle to track whether patients are taking their medications correctly. Existing systems like Kroll and HealthWatch offer basic tools but lack usability and clarity.
A fellow pharmacist, Mac Jonker, built a prototype called the Medication Adherence Calculator and asked me to test it. My role was to validate the need, assess usability, and suggest improvements to make the tool more scalable and adoption-ready.
Problem
Pharmacists need a simple, reliable way to measure patient compliance. Current tools are cumbersome and don’t fit seamlessly into workflow. Through surveys and conversations with pharmacists across different settings, I confirmed this was a consistent pain point.
Solution
The prototype calculated adherence rates using refill data. I identified two main improvement opportunities:
- Accessibility: Convert it from a desktop executable to a web app to bypass corporate IT restrictions and enable easier updates.
- Usability: Apply a CLEAR design framework (Consistency, Layout, Efficiency, Accessibility, Readability) to simplify navigation and improve visual hierarchy.
Goals and KPIs
- Measure pharmacist satisfaction (CSAT).
- Track how many patients were coached or converted to compliance packaging (blister packs).
These aligned with both business and patient outcomes: better adherence, better care, and more billable services.
Results and Learnings
While still in early stages, moving to a web platform positioned the product for wider adoption. Key takeaways:
- Accessibility drives adoption. A secure web app is more scalable than an executable file.
- Early user input is critical. Talking directly to pharmacists revealed friction points quickly.
- Iterate fast. Even small design changes can make a big impact in clinical settings.
Key Insight
In healthcare tech, usability and access matter as much as innovation. By focusing on practical design and distribution, we set the foundation for a product that pharmacists can actually use and trust.