Patients Saving by Not Filling Rx
According to data published by Wolters Kluwer Health, patients are increasingly declining to fill their prescriptions as their wallets become thinner. The Wall Street Journal reported these findings today, showing that 6.8% of patients did not fill their brand-name prescriptions in the last quarter of 2008, an increase of 22% from the first quarter of 2007.
Patients are struggling with finances, but they shouldn't have to struggle over whether to fill a prescription. Have nurse practitioners noticed this trend with patients? Have you been prescribing more generic medications as a result, or have your prescribing practices stayed the same?