Sticking with Medication Routines Holds Down Health Care Costs

A recent study finds that consumers can hold down their health care costs by taking more advantage of workplace and pharmacy health programs.

The study from Take Care Health Systems was published in the American Journal of Managed Care. According to the results, overall adherence to medication routines increased about 10 percent among patients who participated in such programs.

"This study truly demonstrates the value of the workplace health care model in addressing medication adherence - one of the most challenging and costly obstacles faced by providers and payers of health care," said one of the researchers, Dr. Sharon Frazee.

According to Take Care, the failure of patients to stick to their medication routines costs the U.S. health system up to $100 billion a year while also complicating medical problems for many people. For those who cut back on prescriptions because of financial worries, the company observed that generic drugs are one possible solution.

Overall, when it comes to holding down health care costs, people often find that improvement can begin at home by taking a little preventive action and paying attention to their overall medical condition.