Doctors Fear Patients Not Filling Pre...( New Epocrate...),Health

New Epocrates Survey Reveals Patients May Make Harmful Choices in Efforts to Contain Costs

San Mateo, CA (PRWEB) February 10, 2009 -- Americans are faced with having to make more difficult economic choices than ever before. A new survey conducted by Epocrates, Inc., released today, reveals that physicians nationwide are concerned patients are being forced to make cutbacks on medications that could be harmful to their health. Additionally, doctors report an increase in requests for generic medications since the economy has weakened.

Nearly 95 percent of physicians surveyed said they have some degree of concern that patients may not be complying with the prescription they wrote because of the economic climate. Physicians are primarily concerned that patients are not getting prescriptions filled or skipping doses. Respondents also fear patients are trying to extend their medication supply by splitting pills, or discontinuing treatments that help with disease prevention or maintenance without consulting their physician.

"These are challenging times for many Americans, and some people make the mistake of deciding needed medication is less important," said Dr. Edison Tan. "If patients have financial concerns they should speak with their physician about alternatives--there is a lot we can do to help."

Patients struggling with medication costs can ask their doctor about lower cost options, such as generics or drugs covered by the patient's health plan with lower out of pocket costs. Almost 60 percent of survey respondents revealed that more patients have been requesting generic medic
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