There are a variety of contributing factors to discuss with fact that 31% of prescriptions written by doctors and nurses are never filled. A few of these factors include access to a pharmacy, disbelief in the prescribers prognosis, a false sense that nothing is wrong because they don’t show symptoms, and the cost of the medications themselves. The highlighted reason for today’s discussion has to do with the costs associated with the medicines.
In 2009, Americans filled 3.68 billion prescriptions. This is a very large number, but whats most concerning is the additional 1.2 billion prescriptions that weren’t filled. Non-compliance to the doctors orders is estimated to cost the lives of 125,000 people not to mention almost $300 billion in additional medical costs annually. These stats are overwhelming to fully comprehend, and the root cause often to blame goes back to affordability of the medication itself. Often times, people make decisions between medicine and other essential necessities we have come to expect in American society.
When you look at the number of heavily discounted medications on the market today, often times there is an opportunity to save money for the patient and increase compliance. Furthermore, this increases quality of life and reduces the costs associated with complications due to inaction. Our message today to our readers is to be a proactive consumer and demand more from your healthcare providers in the way of medication costs if they are currently more than you can afford. Ask your doctor, ask your pharmacist, or ask one of the trained professionals at Rx Savings Solutions. We’re here to help you live a better life!
