Many consumers looking for ways to reduce their health care costs are taking potentially dangerous steps such as foregoing prescription drug medications altogether or skipping necessary refills, according to a new survey from Consumer Reports. In tough economic times, the survey underscores the need for consumers to examine prescription drug cost-savings options such as the increased use of generic medicines and mail-service pharmacies, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.
“Greater use of mail-service pharmacies, generic medications, and a thorough medication review with a physician to determine other available prescription drug options are all avenues for consumers faced with difficult health care decisions and looking for ways to save,” said PCMA President and CEO Mark Merritt. “This survey is also a reminder that any reforms in health care must address controlling costs for consumers and payers. Creating a real pathway for biogenerics to increase competition for high cost biotech products along with providing greater incentives for mail-service pharmacies in public programs are common sense proposals which both lower costs and increase access.”
The Consumer Reports survey found that people have tried to cut back on health care costs in a variety of ways, including:
- 25 percent have been unable to afford medical care or medications.
- 20 percent skipped filling prescriptions.
- 15 percent took expired medication.
- 15 percent skipped scheduled dosages of prescriptions.
PCMA believes policymakers should explore prescription drug cost-savings options for consumers and payers in the health reform debate, including: