Posted on 21. Jul, 2009 by admin in Library, News
An article published in the most recent edition of the American Journal of Managed Care looked at whether lower co-payments or generic drugs increased adherence to prescribed drug regimens. Generic prescribing modestly improved adherence in two of the five conditions studied, while $0 copays were associated with improved adherence across the board.
Take-Away Points
Analysis of healthcare claims data from 45 large employers showed that generic prescribing was associated with both increases and decreases in medication adherence as well as no effect, depending on the study condition (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, seizure disorders, or type 2 diabetes).
* Copayments of $0 were a more consistent predictor of increased adherence.
* Cost-related nonadherence and associated negative consequences will likely increase if pharmacy benefits are constructed in such a way as to promote generics without consideration of copayments.
Download the full article (PDF) here.
Tags: AJMC, Am Journal of Managed Care, free drugs, generics, Managed Care
