Health Watch By Steve Mullenix

The North Jefferson News



For the first time in more than a decade, the nation’s consumers are trying to get by on fewer prescription medications.

As people around the country are being affected by these economic hard times, many are finding themselves having to juggle necessities such as groceries and housing. Medications are sometimes juggled, too.

Some individuals think medications can wait. This practice may not be the best idea in the long run.

In a survey conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in August of 2008, 22 percent of the individuals surveyed said the economy had caused them to see the doctor less often. Many Americans are skipping physician visits, putting off mammograms, pap smears and other tests.

Physicians are concerned that this practice may result in even sicker patients who will need even more costly treatment in the future. Here are some alarming effects of this economic downturn regarding the health of the American population:

• The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that almost 33 percent of individuals contacted in a telephone poll said they had put off recommended tests. About 15 percent of that same group stated their condition had worsened because of the delay.

• According to IMS Health, the number of prescriptions filled in June 2008 had decreased by 0.4 percent. That’s the first decline in the 12 years IMS has been tracking that data.

• Elective surgeries such as hip and knee replacements, diagnostic tests and outpatient procedures fell by 1-2 percent in recent months. That may not sound like much, but because of the aging population, the trend had been typically increasing by 2-4 percent yearly.

• U.S. hospitals are reporting an increase in emergency room visits which includes a rise in the uninsured patients with conditions that would previously have been treated in a less expensive delivery system.

While everyone has to evaluate spending habits, there are things that can be done to stretch medication dollars:

• Ask for a cheaper alternative: Asking your physician for generic equivalents is probably the easiest way to save money on prescription expenses. In many cases the cost may be 10 percent of a similar branded therapeutic equivalent. Even if a generic for the drug you take is not available, most likely there is a generic alternative that will do the same thing. Ask your pharmacist if there is a suitable generic alternative for your medication, and ask them to call your physician to discuss the switch.

• Split your pills: Many medications are sold in a number of different strengths and often the price difference between the less and more potent medication may be the same, or only slightly more. Of course this will not work with capsules, and some extended release medications. If this could be appropriate for your condition, ask your pharmacist to contact your physician.

• Decline free samples: As crazy as this tip sounds, think about it. The pharmaceutical companies supply physicians with samples of the expensive new drugs, as an attempt to initiate a long term of therapy on the medication. If you’re given enough samples to complete your term of therapy then you’re in the clear. Otherwise, if might be in your best financial interest to consider the less expensive generic alterative from the beginning.

• Don’t ask for advertised drugs: Direct to consumer advertising of pharmaceutical products works; to the tune of over $5.2 dollars being spent by the pharmaceutical industry. Some estimates are that the return on their investment is as much as $4.20 for every $1 spent on advertising. Unfortunately, following the advice on the television causes the consumer to ask his physician for more expensive and sometimes unnecessary drugs. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association relates that patients who ask their physicians for a particular anti-depressant by name were five times more likely to leave the office with a prescription for the products. Let’s leave the prescription up to the physician’s judgment rather than an ad agency on the evening news.

• Shop around: For those who have an insurance program, the co-pays are normally the same regardless of which pharmacy visited. At some super stores, you may encounter a delay in filling a prescription due to the high volume filled per day. This allows the consumer enough time to shop for other things. As a result, you may end up spending more time at the store than you initially anticipated shopping for things that you may or may not need.

Stretching finances to meet needs is a concern we all face. Getting the most for the money should be our goal in every purchase decision. Skipping or not taking needed medications can result in future expenses that are much greater than anticipated.

Abruptly stopping any medication without consulting your physician is never a good idea. Talk with your pharmacist before your next office visit or ask them if there are less expensive alternative medications you could try. Don’t be short-sighted and put your future health at risk.

Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.