health
Lower costs, patient education help boost medication adherence
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 24, 2012
Poor medication adherence comes with tremendous costs, contributing to an estimated 125,000 U.S. deaths and at least 10% of hospitalizations annually, says an Annals of Internal Medicine study published online Sept. 11. Previous research has shown as many as 30% of prescriptions are never filled, and 50% of medications for chronic disease are not taken as directed, said the study (link).
Researchers reviewed 73 studies published from 1994 to June 2012, including 69 randomized controlled trials. They found that the most successful methods for ensuring that chronic disease patients take their medications as directed are reducing their out-of-pocket costs, case management and patient education with behavioral support. The best evidence for improvements was found for common conditions such as depression, hypertension, diabetes and asthma.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/09/24/hlbf0924.htm.
