Want more tips and tricks for reaching your health goals? Join Lark!

Take our 2-minute survey to find out if you’re eligible to join Lark which includes a smart scale and the chance to earn a Fitbit®.
Start now
*Terms and conditions apply
Close icon
< Back to Resource Center
< Back to Member Blog

The Cost of Medication Non-Adherence

Natalie
Stein
April 13, 2018
The Cost of Medication Non-Adherence - Lark Health
Lark

Are you at risk of prediabetes?

Lark can help lower your risk for Type 2 Diabetes through healthy habit formation, and data tracking.
Height: 5 ft 4 in
4' 0"
7' 0"
Weight: 160 lbs
90 lbs
500 lbs
LOW RISK
Risk Level
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Build healthy habits
from your phone

Medication Adherence Stats and Trends 

Despite the importance of medication adherence, it is shockingly low in the U.S., with nearly 3 out 4 patients being non-adherent. Furthermore, adherence is lower among individuals with chronic diseases compared to acute conditions.

Consider these additional statistics, compiled in a survey conducted by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and Pharmacists for the Protection of Patient Care (P3C).

  • 49%, or nearly one out of two, patients forgot to take at least one of their prescription medications.
  • 31%, or nearly one out of three, patients neglected to fill at least one of their prescribed medications.
  • 24%, or nearly one out of four, patients took a dose lower than what they were supposed to take.
  • 11%, or nearly one in nine, patients took an over-the-counter medication instead of their prescription medication.

Importance of Medication Adherence

The economic and health costs of medication non-adherence are high. An estimate from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, puts the annual cost of hospitalizations due to non-adherence at $100 to $300 billion. Each hospital visit costs, on average, an extra $3,575 for a non-adherent patient compared to a hospital visit for a patient who had been compliant.

These are some other statistics demonstrating the importance of medication adherence.

  • Non-adherent hypertensive patients had 17% higher hospitalization and 5.4 times the risk of poor clinical outcomes (e.g., hospitalization and premature death) than adherent patients.
  • Non-adherent hypertensive patients were 7, 13, and 42% more likely to get coronary disease, cerebrovascular disease, and heart failure, respectively, over 3 years than adherent patients.
  • In one study among individuals with diabetes, those who were non-adherent were 2.5 times more likely to be admitted to the hospital than patients who were at least 80% adherent.
  • The risk of hospitalization or death is 2.8 times higher among individuals with dyslipidemia (such as high cholesterol) who are non-adherent compared to those who take their prescription medications as prescribed.

Although one reason patients may not be adherent is because they do not have symptoms from their conditions. Or, they may not realize that the medication is working. However, hypertension is an example of a condition in which each step towards control helps, even if patients do not achieve a "normal" blood pressure. One study found that:

  • The relative risk of heart disease mortality with a systolic blood pressure of 140-149 mm Hg (Stage 1 hypertension) was 4.2 compared to a systolic blood pressure of 110.
  • The relative risk was 20 for a systolic blood pressure over 180 compared to under 110.
  • Each increment decrease of 10 mm Hg of systolic blood pressure was associated with a decreased risk, even when patients did not achieve complete control.
  • Patterns were similar for stroke risk.

Lark health coach can assist with adherence to the medication regimen in a number of ways.

  • Reminding patients to take their medications: when and how much.
  • Connecting patients to healthcare providers when needed.
  • Educating patients on the importance of medication adherence.
  • Tracking patient adherence so patients can see how well they have been following doctor's orders.

In addition, Lark provides coaching to encourage healthy behaviors, including weight management, nutritious eating, getting active, and getting enough sleep. These behaviors can all support general well-being as well as increase patient self-efficacy in taking charge of health and staying adherent to medications to stay as healthy as possible.

About Lark

Lark helps you eat better, move more, stress less, and improve your overall wellness. Lark’s digital coach is available 24/7 on your smartphone to give you personalized tips, recommendations, and motivation to lose weight and prevent chronic conditions like diabetes.

Read more

Get healthier with Lark & earn a Fitbit®

Lose weight, get more active, and eat better.
take 1-minute survey

Similar posts

glass of waterglass of water

5 Tricks to Drink More Water to Help You Lose Weight

Drinking more can help you lose weight by reducing your appetite, increasing energy levels, and reducing the calories you consume.

Learn more
healthy meal optionhealthy meal option

10 Fast Food Breakfasts That Can Fit into Your Weight Loss Plan

More than 1 in 5 adults eat fast food for breakfast on a given day.

Learn more
Green beans with feta cheese and pine nutsGreen beans with feta cheese and pine nuts

Healthy Late-Night Snacks for Weight Loss

People say eating at night can lead to weight gain, but what if you’re hungry? Here are some tips to keep evening snacks healthy so you can go to bed without being hungry.

Learn more