Nov. 28--It is a trend Andrea Mantione and her staff at the Edward R. Leahy Center Clinic see more and more often these days -- people who skip doses of prescription medication to save a little cash.
A study released this fall shows that the number of people who reported skipping prescription medication doses, doctors appointments and medical tests among the ways they try to save on health care costs rose to 48 percent. It is the largest increase since Consumer Reports National Research Center began the annual survey three years ago.
Failing to take medication as prescribed, especially medication used to treat chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, could end up costing more money in the long run, experts said.
"I've seen so many patients who are doing this and have bigger problems later on," said Ms. Mantione, a certified registered nurse practitioner and director of the free clinic run by the University of Scranton. "Most of the time, (doctors) aren't even aware that patients might be skipping doses."
Michael Rogan, M.D., an internist and pediatrician at Geisinger -- Lake Scranton, said he can sympathize with patients struggling to pay for medications.
Plavix, a drug prescribed for many heart-attack and stroke sufferers, can cost nearly $200 for 30 tablets if the patient does not have insurance, he said. Many people on Plavix will continue taking it for six months to one year, he added.
For some people without insurance, expensive medication means a choice between eating or getting their prescriptions filled, Dr. Rogan said.
But the danger is that "taking your prescription every third day doesn't have the same effect as taking it" as prescribed, he said. "It can put the patient at risk for complications" that could land a patient in the hospital.
Medications that control certain chronic conditions, like high blood pressure, can take months or even years of fine-tuning to get exactly the right dosage at the right times, according to David Rowlands, Community Medical Center's pharmacy director.
Not taking a prescription as directed -- and keeping that fact from your doctor -- could result in an increased dosage because the doctor believes the medication is not working as expected, he said.
The good news is that there are resources to help people struggling to pay for prescriptions. The first step, both Dr. Rogan and Ms. Mantione said, is being honest with your doctor about whether you can afford the medication prescribed.
Many times, a particular brand-name drug has a generic version that is cheaper but works just as well. Several pharmacies have deals where certain commonly used generic drugs cost only a few dollars and those programs are open to anyone regardless of whether they have health insurance, Ms. Mantione said.
Dr. Rogan said doctors also can sometimes provide drug samples to patients who have trouble paying for prescriptions or can assist patients in finding programs that provide medications at a reduced cost or even for free.
"If you don't ask, we can't help you," he said.
Contact the writer: enissley@timesshamrock.com
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