Money and medication adherence – asthma in Australia

An online survey of adults and parents of children 5 to 17 years with asthma in Australia was completed by 792 adult patients and 609 parents of children (5-10 years 51%) with asthma. Cost-related under use of medication was reported by 52.9% adults and 34.3% parents, predominantly decreasing or skipping doses to make medicines last longer. Younger adults, men, those expressing concerns about medicines, people who feel less comfortable talking to prescribers about cost, those changing medicines, people feeling less engaged with prescribers about medicine decisions were all at increased risk. Of great concern, people with poorer asthma control , those requiring specialist or urgent health care visits were also more likely to report altering medication use for economic purposes. The magnitude of income and concession card status were not associated with cost-related under use. Even in a country like Australia, where medicine supply is largely subsidised under the auspices of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, money issues may impact upon medication adherence. Read more here