New Study Indicates Age, Cost Play a Role in Medication Adherence

Medication regimen adherence can be difficult for many reasons, particularly for seniors. Several INQRI studies have addressed medication management and the roles nurses can play in improving patients' adherence to medication regimens. 

Now a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds cost and age may play a role in adherence. The study reveals people under 65 are twice as likely as older Americans to not take prescribed medication because of the cost. The study also found that one in five people, regardless of age, asked their doctors for generic rather than name-brand prescription drugs. Adults 65 who only had Medicaid coverage (as opposed to Medicare and Medicaid or private insurance) were the most likely to ask for lower-cost drugs.