The rate of prescription abandonment increased 34 percent since 2006, according to an analysis by Wolters Kluwer Health (WKH).
The WKH report found that prescription abandonment — whereby a patient submits a retail prescription but doesn't pick it up — increased from 5.15 percent in 2006 to 6.8 percent in 2008. The study found that abandonment rates increase as co-pays do. New prescriptions with co-pays of $100 or more had an abandonment rate of more than 20 percent, while the abandonment rate for scripts with co-pays of $10 or less was 4 percent. "Price sensitivity is clearly a factor as consumers decide to forgo certain prescriptions altogether, including some for chronic conditions," said Mark Spiers, president and CEO of WKH. "This disturbing trend may have serious health implications and seems poised to continue — especially if the economy deteriorates further."
The WKH analysis also found that generics represented 60 percent of all prescriptions filled in the United States in 2008. The percentage was even higher for oral drugs. According to the report, in 2008 prescriptions were filled for 2.4 billion generic drugs versus 1.4 billion brand-name medications. Generics have seen a growth rate of 12 percent since 2004, while brand-name medications dropped 6 percent during the same period.
"We're close to the point, certainly by the end of 2009, where two out of every three prescriptions filled will be generic," Spiers said. "These trends are going to become even more pronounced moving forward, as there are many blockbusters in major therapeutic areas like cholesterol reducers due to come off patent in the coming three years. The volume of available generics will increase, and there are very few new blockbuster drugs in the pipeline to replace them."Factors such as increased patient education, increased awareness of the availability of generics, and changing attitudes, Spiers said, have all contributed to the growth of generics usage. "Patients are becoming far more comfortable with the concept of using a generic in place of a brand," he said. "This, in part, is due to patient education programs and enthusiasm forged by marketing vehicles such as $4 generic drug programs."
The worsening economy also has played a role in patient decision-making. As insurers set higher co-pays for brands, patients are choosing to save money with generics. "Increased unemployment and high numbers of newly uninsured are encouraging patients to look for ways to cut costs. Choosing a generic over a brand fits right into that mindset," Spiers said.
