Consumers Scrimping on Prescriptions

A story in the New York Times this week tells the story of pharmacy patients faced with a heartbreaking choice: basic necessities or medication. The article follows several individuals who have started splitting pills, skipping doses or eliminating medications altogether. Their reasons? While some patients cite concerns about drug side effects or new clinical trials, more often than not these efforts are an attempt to save money.

"People are having to choose between gas, meals and medication," said Dr. James King, the chairman of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a national professional group. He also runs his own family practice in rural Selmer, Tenn.

"I've seen patients today who said they stopped taking their Lipitor, their cholesterol-lowering medicine, because they can't afford it," Dr. King said one recent morning.

Rising prices and a sinking economy have squeezed many Americans' budgets, and consumers are cutting back in a number of ways. But taking incorrect doses or skipping pills can have potentially life-threatening implications.

Have you seen fewer or less-frequent refills at your pharmacy? If so, how do you think such practices impact patient quality of care?

In Sour Economy, Some Scale Back on Medications [New York Times]

Meet Ray F.

My name is Ray Funatsu and I've been a pharmacist since 1963. In '74 I started working as a manager with Sav-on until '94; that's when I stepped down because it got to be a little too much. I worked until 2000 and retired and now I'm on-call.