Study: Cost Cuts Improve Use of Medicines

People who have to pay less for their medicines are more likely to take them, says a review of several earlier studies. The research review focused on a widespread problem. Studies show that about half of U.S. patients don’t take their medicines correctly for long-term conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Up to 30% of prescriptions are not even filled. All of this is estimated to contribute to 125,000 deaths each year. Researchers reviewed several dozen studies. Five studies found that people were more likely to take their medicines if their drug coverage improved or their out-of-pocket costs went down. Educating patients and trying to help with problems that were keeping them from taking their medicines also helped. So did personal contacts from a nurse for people with a high risk of not taking all medicines.