Abstract
This study examined cost-related prescription drug misuse among older persons, i.e., using leftover drugs, not filling a prescription, and taking less than the prescribed dosage. Data were gathered from a community sample of senior center clients and medical outpatients (n = 82), and callers to a Medicare rights hotline (n = 252). One out of five older persons stretches resources by not taking drugs as recommended. Neither prescription drug coverage nor type of health plan was significantly related to misuse. A 20% rate of cost-related prescription drug misuse is high and cause for concern.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 39-49 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Economics |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2001 |
Keywords
- Elderly patients
- Medicare
- Noncompliance
- Prescription costs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Health Policy
