Approximately 54% of Americans don’t take their medication as prescribed by their doctor

 new representative survey about digital health in 2022, approximately 54% of Americans don’t take their medication as prescribed by their doctor.

This revealing statistic begs the question: what are the possible reasons for this? A closer look at the various probable contributing factors is required for an answer. The goal of increasing compliance should be to understand the immediate and related effects medications have. Being able to navigate through these concerns can increase drug compliance.

Why do people avoid taking medications?

66% of all adults in the United States use prescription drugs. A higher percentage of this use is among the elderly, likely having chronic health conditions.

A primary concern for compliance is the cost of medications. A 2018 GoodRx survey observed one-third of Americans struggle with paying for their medications. To cover the high costs, they resorted to borrowing money, cutting costs on food and housing, or skipping prescription refills.

Even though many Americans have some sort of insurance, they still find it difficult to afford their medications. Age also increases the number of prescriptions to be filled. This means a hefty monthly bill just for medications.

Myths and misunderstandings related to medications can also result in non-compliance. After receiving a prescription, physicians may not explain the use of different drugs. Patients may also fail to ask questions, especially if they feel rushed during their appointments.

Additionally, misinformation about side effect profiles can make patients wary of taking their prescriptions.

For some, a few months of medication can provide relief from symptoms. This results in many patients stopping their prescriptions ahead of time. Sadly, this causes more harm in the long run.

Finally, a cause for non-compliance among many patients is forgetfulness. Among those who were recently diagnosed, adding medications to a busy schedule can take some adjustment. For the elderly, with a long list of drugs, it is possible to skip a few if they are not properly allocated for the day.

Patients can have many reasons why they skip their prescriptions. Some other causes include inaccessibility, limited understanding, or even cultural beliefs. This means relaying the right information becomes the cornerstone of prescription compliance.

How are prescription medications misused?

Another area of concern is the misuse of prescription drugs.

A study observing the trajectory of possible misuse of prescription drugs noted almost half of its respondents, between 18–50 years, misused prescription drugs. The most common drugs misused included sedatives, stimulants, and prescription opioids.

A significant portion of misuse occurs among adolescents and younger adults. This demographic is also likely to have habits such as alcoholism, cigarette smoking, and marijuana use, which can contribute to an increase in prescription drug misuse.

In 2020, more than 34,000 deaths resulted from a misuse of prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants alone.

Among older cohorts, there was lesser prescription misuse. Medications among these adults were taken for the prescribed purpose. Among adults, misuse was documented for assistance with staying alert, sleeping, and relieving pain and tension.

Understanding behavioral patterns with prescription medicine is critical for addressing problems on both sides of the fence, with misuse and non-compliance.

What are ways to improve medication compliance among patients?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 125,000 deaths per year occur due to non-adherence to medical prescriptions. Among those taking medications for chronic disease, many stop their prescriptions within six months. Some alter doses based on how they are feeling.

Similarly, Kilo Health’s survey noticed that less than half, which is 46%, took their prescription as advised.

Kasparas Aleknavicius, Head of Medical Affairs at Kilo Health, highlights, “People don’t use their medication as prescribed for many reasons. Forgetfulness is only one of these causes.”

He says, “Without a proper system, tackling non-compliance will be futile.” Therefore, building an ecosystem for pharmacological compliance with the healthcare professional, pharmacist, and patient is vital.

For healthcare providers, open communication on the benefits of following prescriptions should be maintained. Understanding why patients may not comply is also important. Primary care physicians should also allow for prescription-based questions. Especially when it comes to understanding side effects and immediately reporting them.

Additionally, if cost is a struggle, other brands or more generic versions of drugs can be sourced to make the overall experience slightly economical. Some companies reduced or eliminated co-pays, which resulted in increased drug compliance.

Studies have also shown how collaborative efforts between pharmacists and healthcare providers can increase adherence rates among patients. These efforts often included answering questions, educating patients, and frequent follow-ups to address drug-related concerns.

HealthTech is also making great strides in dispensing medications and tracking healthcare. Measuring vitals such as blood pressure, along with daily medications, can help with compliance. Additionally, it can favor close monitoring of chronic conditions, which can help modify prescriptions when needed.

Newer e-prescriptions enable easier updates as well as tracking the refill of prescriptions. Patients are also less likely to lose prescriptions. This helps create a useful back and forth between patients and their healthcare providers, allowing for an increase in prescription adherence.

“Kilo Health’s survey highlights how prescription medication non-compliance is still prevalent among Americans. Several facets explain why the numbers are increasing without much respite – and all stakeholders included must get involved to solve it,” summarizes Aleknavicius.

About Kilo Health

Kilo Health is one of the leading digital health and wellness companies with 4+ million customers worldwide. As of 2022, it’s the second fastest-growing company in Europe on the Financial Times TOP 1,000 ranking, the second-fastest growing company in Central Europe on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list, and the most popular employer of 2021 on MeetFrank. Kilo Health has over 15 innovative digital health products, 600+ employees, and offices across 5 European cities. The company is also a member of the DTx Alliance, Matter Community, and HealthXL.