Docs don't ask if prescription drugs affordable

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Docs don't ask if prescription drugs affordable

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Doctors rarely ask their patients if they might

have trouble paying for drugs they prescribe, a survey shows.

" Little is known about whether healthcare professionals are effectively

identifying patients who have difficulty covering the costs of out-of-pocket

prescription medications, " Dr. Michele Heisler and colleagues note in the

American Journal of Medicine.

They took a look at this issue in a survey of a national sample of 4050

adults aged 50 or older with chronic health conditions including high blood

pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, and depression.

Overall, only 16 percent reported that a physician or nurse had ever asked

them about their ability to afford the medications prescribed.

Patients with very low incomes, no pharmacy benefits, and multiple

medications were more likely to be asked about their ability to pay than

were those with higher incomes, pharmacy benefits, and fewer medications.

" Still, only about 1 in 5 respondents in each of these risk groups reported

being asked, " the team reports.

On the other hand, 37 percent of respondents reported that covering

out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs was a burden.

Eighteen percent reported taking less medication than prescribed because of

the cost and 22 percent said they cut back on food, heat, or other basic

needs to help cover the costs of prescription drugs.

Heisler and colleagues conclude that " clinicians and healthcare systems need

to develop more effective strategies to proactively identify and assist

patients facing problems associated with out-of-pocket medication costs. "

SOURCE: American Journal of Medicine, June 1, 2004.