Why Don’t Patients Fill Their Prescriptions?
Modern medicine can save lives. Nevertheless, more than 25% of all first-time prescriptions are left unfilled in a typical year. That number is even higher for the life-saving medications patients rely on to treat chronic disease: About 30% of the prescriptions for diabetes, elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol are also not filled.
As providers, we know just how dangerous these conditions can be when left untreated. It’s clear there are tremendous barriers for patients when it comes to filling prescriptions. But we can help by understanding these barriers and providing the best resources.
Overwhelming cost
The main reason Americans fail to fill their prescriptions comes down to money. The increasing cost of prescription drugs affects patients now more than ever before. Most Americans don’t know what they’ll owe for medications until the pharmacy department rings up their new prescriptions.
Instant Rx savings for insured and uninsured patients
GoodRx for HCPs has savings that can beat insurance copays and reduce your need to complete prior authorizations.
GoodRx is NOT insurance. GoodRx Health information and resources are reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides.
Most providers are entirely unaware that their patients aren’t taking their medications as ordered. Here are a few simple ways to start mitigating the problem:
Order generics when possible. This is a cost-saving option. Prescriptions are not regulated and prices can differ widely between pharmacies. In addition, 55% of patients, according to one study, state that their provider never asked if they could afford their medications.
Follow up with your patients. Ask whether they are taking their medication or if the cost is preventing them from doing so. If they cannot afford it, be knowledgeable about financial relief programs from individual pharmaceutical firms.
Offer prescription resources. Providers should also be familiar with programs to facilitate prescription coverage. Using GoodRx, patients can check prices across pharmacies and find the most inexpensive pharmacy for their medication. GoodRx also lists information about manufacturer copay cards and patient assistance programs.
Access barriers
The pandemic has led to loss of employment, along with drastic increases among those who are uninsured or underinsured. These changes have led to a significant reduction in people filling their essential prescriptions.
Beyond that, prescription drug shortages have affected 11% of patients. These medications include vital autoimmune drugs and asthma inhalers like albuterol, azithromycin, fluticasone, and hydroxychloroquine.
During the transfer of care, such as being discharged from the hospital or entering a long-term care facility, prescription drugs also can fall through the cracks. Drugs that were newly prescribed at the time of hospitalization were less likely to be taken by those at long-term care facilities, one study found. Following up to ensure proper medication reconciliation is crucial.
Not on the same page
Patients are more likely to avoid taking medications if they do not understand why they were prescribed. The average American reads at a seventh- to eighth-grade level. Therefore, most written health information should target that range. Healthcare literacy is a significant issue that influences patients whether or not they fill their prescriptions.
Beyond that, the population works in different ways. Some learn best by what they see, others by what they hear, and still others by combining the two. There are education styles, from graphics to animations to written materials, that patients may prefer. However, finding the right resources to help patients may seem like a significant barrier.
Shared decision-making is a process where clinicians and patients mutually collaborate to make medical and treatment decisions together. Clinicians review the treatments and alternatives to help them choose the option that aligns with their personal preferences and beliefs. In shared decision-making, healthcare providers take time to sit with their patients, review the evidence, and collaborate to make choices about their care.
By providing educational materials for all learning styles and literacy levels, you can motivate patients to take charge of their health. There are many clinical options for providing shared decision-making resources. These aids are broken into categories, such as the following:
Cardiology from the American College of Cardiology
Health topics from A to Z by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Diabetes, statins, osteoporosis, depression, and myocardial infarction by the Mayo Clinic
Provider support
Care providers can have considerable influence on patients’ adherence to a medical care plan. By sitting down and creating a treatment plan your patients can commit to, they are more likely to fill their necessary prescriptions.
Build an open relationship with your patients. Create a judgment-free zone; if your patient trusts you, they will feel comfortable reaching out if the drug is unavailable or more expensive than expected.
When patients call the office, you can prescribe an alternative drug that is in stock or that a health insurer will better cover. At each follow-up appointment, make sure that they can access and take each medication.
Numerous reasons can derail a patient from picking up and taking their medications. But clear communication can increase patient compliance. With some increased support, follow-up, and access to resources, clinicians can help patients adhere to their care plan.
Why trust our experts?
