Nonadherence to Any Prescribed Medication Due to Costs Among Adults with HIV Infection - United States, 2016-2017

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 Dec 13;68(49):1129-1133. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6849a1.

Abstract

The United States spends more per capita on prescription drugs than do other high-income countries (1). In 2017, patients paid 14% of this cost out of pocket (2). Prescription drug cost-saving strategies, including nonadherence to medications due to cost concerns, have been documented among U.S. adults (3) and can negatively affect morbidity and, in the case of persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, can increase transmission risk (4,5). However, population-based data on prescription drug cost-saving strategies among U.S. persons with HIV are lacking. CDC's Medical Monitoring Project* analyzed cross-sectional, nationally representative, surveillance data on behaviors, medical care, and clinical outcomes among adults with HIV infection. During 2016-2017, 14% of persons with HIV infection used a prescription drug cost-saving strategy for any prescribed medication, and 7% had cost saving-related nonadherence. Nonadherence due to prescription drug costs was associated with reporting an unmet need for medications from the Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), not having Medicaid coverage, and having private insurance. Persons who were nonadherent because of cost concerns were more likely to have visited an emergency department, have been hospitalized, and not be virally suppressed. Reducing barriers to ADAP and Medicaid coverage, in addition to reducing medication costs for persons with private insurance, might help to decrease nonadherence due to cost concerns and, thus contribute to improved viral suppression rates and other health outcomes among persons with HIV infection.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prescription Drugs / economics*
  • Prescription Drugs / therapeutic use*
  • Prescription Fees*
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Prescription Drugs