4 Strategies Patients Use to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs

In 2011, Americans spent $45 billion out-of-pocket on retail prescription drugs, according to a data brief by the National Center for Health Statistics.

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The data brief was complied using information collected from the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics in 2011. Information was collected for a total of 33,014 persons aged 18 years and over.

According to the survey, adults, between the ages of 18 and 65 years, used selected strategies to reduce drug costs in 2011. These strategies were:

•    Asked physicians for a lower-cost medication — 19.8 percent used this strategy
•    Did not take medication as prescribed — 12.6 percent used this strategy
•    Used alternative therapies — 6 percent used this strategy
•    Bought prescription drugs from another country — 2.1 percent used this strategy

More Articles on Healthcare Costs:

U.S. Healthcare Cost Containment: Lessons From 4 Other High-Income Countries
States Taking Initiative on Dual Eligible Cost Containment
AHA Supports Bill That Would Require Hospitals to Post Prices

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