Out of 3.8 billion prescriptions written every year, one in five is never filled and about half of those that are filled are taken incorrectly, according to the CDC.1
Not taking your medication could make your disease or condition worse, cause you to be hospitalized or even lead to death. Find out other ways missing your prescription could affect you, plus simple steps to help you stay on track.
Hidden costs
While filling the entire prescription and taking it exactly as prescribed costs more money up front, not taking your medicine as prescribed may end up costing you more in the long run. Medication nonadherence is estimated to cost the U.S. healthcare system between $100 billion and $289 billion annually.3 This is because skipping your prescribed medicines could make your disease or condition worse. It increases the likelihood that you’ll need to see your doctor again or go to the hospital, which is almost always more expensive than filling the prescription in the first place. Over time, this leads increased copays and deductibles, which means you’ll likely pay more out of pocket.4
How we can help
This can all be overwhelming, but we are here to help. We have a number of programs to help you and your family fill, understand and stay adherent to your medications. From Save a Trip Refills®, where you can schedule a recurring pickup date for all your prescriptions, to sending text alerts and refill reminders when it’s time to refill a medication to providing 90-day supplies of chronic medications, Walgreens is committed to making prescription refills more convenient to support medication adherence.
The Walgreens Mobile App is also a great tool to help you fill and take your medications. You can log in to your personal account to see all of your prescription medications, refill them with the touch of a button and manage your auto refills. The Pill Reminder is very helpful for anyone who may have a hard time remembering to take their medications, especially if you have a complicated schedule to keep organized.
Our pharmacists are always available to answer your questions about your prescriptions, in our stores, on the phone or online through Pharmacy Chat on the Walgreens app or website. Your pharmacist is a crucial part of your healthcare team and is ready to help you with all of your medication needs.
Sources:
1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Why You Need to Take Your Medication as Prescribed or Instructed. Available at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/
resourcesforyou/specialfeatures/ucm485545.htm Accessed on December 30, 2018.
2. Neiman AB, Rupper T, Ho M, et al. CDC Grand Rounds: Improving Medication Adherence for Chronic Disease Management – Innovations and Opportunities. MMWR Rep 2017;66. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6645a2
3. Viswanathan M, Golin CE, Jones CD, et al. Interventions to Improve Adherence to Self-administered Medications for Chronic Diseases in the United States: A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med. 2012;157(11):785-795. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-157-201212040-00538
4. Benjamin RM. Medication Adherence: Helping Patients Take Their Medications as Directed. Public Health Rep. 2012 Jan-Feb; 127(1):2-3. DOI: 10.1177/003335491212700102
5. Iuga AO, McGuire MJ. Adherence and health care costs. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy. 2014; 7:35-44. DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S19801
