Source: Take Meds As Directed, Reduce Overall Healthcare Costs Medical News Today. 10 Feb 2006 (Refers to: Predictors of Medication Adherence and Associated Health Care Costs in an Older Population With Overactive Bladder Syndrome: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. Balkrishnan R, Bhosle MJ, Camacho FT, Anderson RTÂ The Journal of Urology. March 2006. Vol. 175, Issue 3, Pages 1067-1072)
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This is another case of a formal study confirming (thank goodness) what those working in the field of healthcare compliance have believed and preached for years — that adherence to prescribed treatment saves money.
In this case, a study found that older adults who regularly refilled prescriptions to treat overactive bladder syndrome lowered their overall healthcare costs, primarily by decreasing their hospitalizations and doctor visits, even if these patients were also being treated for other disorders.
The arithmetic works out to a 5.6 percent decrease in annual healthcare costs for every 10 percent increase in the number of filled prescriptions for the target medications.
