What?  Actually, 1/3 of prescriptions go UNfilled.  The fancy word for this is “nonadherence.”

A Canadian study followed nearly 16,000 patients.  The results: nonadherence most often this occurs due to prescribing

• expensive drugs and
• preventive therapies for chronic conditions.
• Also, patients were more likely to not get medicines with higher copays, recent hospitalization, and when the patients had more severe comorbid (long-term) conditions.

Interestingly, antibiotics were  most likely to be filled.    Patients who had more visits with the prescribing physician were more likely to fill their prescriptions (this may speak to trust/knowledge of each other).  And, older patients more likely filled their prescriptions.

As a provider, I weigh the cost of the medicine and frequency medicine needs to be taken, with the effectiveness for the patient’s specific condition.  If I prescribe a medicine that the patient does not believe they need/cannot afford, who have I helped?