How to Get the Most Value for Your Prescription Dollar

Jacob Cannan, PharmD Candidate 2011
Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University

Prepared during Consumer Health Information Corporation Clerkship
McLean, VA

A common and effective heart medication, known as a beta-blocker, can cost more than $1700 per year. That is $142 per month, or $4.73 every day. Even more alarming than the hefty price of the medicines is that half of patients don’t take or know how to take their medicines the right way. This can be very costly in the long run.

Not taking prescription medicine like this correctly can have devastating effects. These effects can hurt the patient. They can also affect their family, happiness, and employer. A hospital stay for a stroke can easily go longer than 4 days. The time in the hospital can also run up charges well over $40,000. Bills can even be over $75,000.

It is not over after the initial hospital bill. Stroke victims may also need home care and rehabilitation. Adding up the total cost for a stroke can be very expensive. A stroke victim can be looking at a price tag in excess of $200,000. This figure is based on 1999 values calculated by the American Heart Association and adjusted for inflation. If the patient purchased the medication for $142 but did not take it correctly, then they did not get the most value out of their prescription dollar. In fact, by not taking the drug correctly, they could be putting their lives at risk and facing a large healthcare cost.

Some of the costs of a stroke that happen right away (direct cost) include:

• Hospitalization
• 20%-50% death rate
• X-rays, lab-tests, and many more doctor visits
• Additional medications
• Some people will need to take blood thinners the rest of their lives
• Disabilities that can affect the rest of life

Other costs that follow the stroke and add up later (indirect costs) include:

• More than 70% of survivors do not return to work

  Resulting in large amounts of lost income

• Loss of independence

  Costly home nursing visits, physical/occupational therapy

• Hardship on loved ones and caregivers
• Cost of caregivers

A stroke is a great example of the consequences of not taking your medicine the right way. Taking your medicine the right way can reduce the risk of a stroke or other major health mishap. When used the right way, medicines are an easy and effective way to help you live a healthy and better life.

Getting the Most Value

Here are a few key tips to maximize the value of your medications:

• Develop a daily routine so you take the pills at the same times every day
• Ask questions! If you have a question, ask the pharmacist or doctor before deciding to quit taking the medication
• Get your refills on time and try not to miss doses between refills.

  When you miss a dose, the drug cannot protect you and you are setting yourself up for unnecessary risk

• Go to one pharmacy

  Your pharmacist needs to know ALL the medications that you are taking in order to provide you with the best therapy and protect against interactions

• Get to know your pharmacist

  You should find a pharmacist who takes the time to advise you and answer
  your questions

• Sign up for automatic refills with your pharmacy

  This will help you always have your medication available

To get the full benefit and value from your medicines (even the expensive ones) you need to take them the right way. Learning why and how to take your medicine will empower you in the treatment of your disease. It does not make sense to throw money away by not taking your medicines the right way. A small investment in your health today can pay dividends later by avoiding costly hospital visits and serious health complications.

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