Many chronically ill patients cut back on taking their prescription medications because they have trouble paying for them. But a study co-authored by CHP/PCOR fellow Todd H. Wagner has found that many of these patients don't tell their doctors what they're doing, even though it could harm their health, and even though their physicians could help them obtain lower-cost medications or drug coverage.

The authors of the study, published in the Sept. 13 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, say their findings reinforce how critical it is for doctors and nurses to take the initiative in asking patients if they're having trouble paying for their drugs, and educating them about which ones are most necessary to protect their health. The researchers found that most patients who did speak up got help through free samples, generic drugs or information about assistance programs.

The study found that two-thirds of 660 chronically ill patients who had cut back on their prescription drugs because of trouble paying for them didn't tell their doctors before they did it. Even after they had started this practice, 35 percent never told their doctors. All the patients surveyed had at least one serious medical problem such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, osteoporosis or ulcers.

The study was led by John Piette, a former CHP/PCOR associate now at the University of Michigan. The findings were covered by several news outlets including Newsday, United Press International (UPI) and ABC News.