More employers are taking steps to improve their employees’ health by making sure they take their medicines as prescribed, a move that could stave off more serious and costly health consequences, according to a new report sponsored by the National Pharmaceutical Council.

The report, Employer Medication Compliance Initiatives surveyed employers’ views and strategies on medication compliance, which is defined as following a medicine treatment plan developed by an individual’s health care provider, filling prescriptions, and taking medications as prescribed. The report says 89 percent of employers acknowledge the importance of medication compliance to employee health. The NPC report shows that diabetes is a key focus of medication compliance initiatives. Other conditions that warrant employer attention are high cholesterol, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to the report.

To improve compliance, 95 percent of employers surveyed for the report say they are taking action, and the trend is toward more sophisticated interventions including employee education and additional prescription reminders by e-mail. Employers are often using their vendors to play a key role in analysis and intervention, with pharmacy benefit managers and employee benefit consultants were most often cited.