» Costs, along with changing attitudes, help fuel growth in deprescribing
Millions of adults in the United States are not taking their medications as prescribed because of the costs, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most adults aged 18 to 64 took at least one prescription medication in 2021, noted a recent CNN report. But more than 8% of them — about 9.2 million people — said that they tried to save money by skipping doses, taking less than prescribed or delaying a prescription fill, according to the CDC data.
Although average drug costs did not increase in 2021, the number of prescriptions did, and that increased spending, CNN reported.
Many adults aged more than 65 years who have chronic conditions, however, may be taking too many medications and could benefit from a medication review with their primary care physician. Patients also may assume that their health providers check for drug interactions or assess whether a medication no longer is needed, even if that is not actually happening, according to a recent report from WebMD.
If given the option, up to 80% of older adults aged 50 to 80 would be open to stopping one or more of their prescribed medications, according to a 2023 poll by researchers at the University of Michigan.
» Older Americans have access to more vaccines than ever, but increasing numbers cause concern for some individuals
From pneumonia and shingles to COVID boosters to the new respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and a broader range of flu shots for seniors, older Americans are facing an ever-growing array of vaccines to be mindful about every autumn, as one USA Today article posits.
And although most older adults understand and agree with the importance of prevention, the sheer numbers of shots are giving some of them pause. “They are tired of getting shots, and their hesitation often comes from confusion about what they need and when,” one expert told the national newspaper. “Educating them about their risks and administering several shots at the same time can help,” she said.
“We have the opportunity as we never have before to prevent much more disease,” said an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
