1 Out Of 10 Adults Skip Their Prescription Drugs Due To Expense, According To CDC

It might not come as much surprise to those with chronic conditions. Close to one in 10 American adults are estimated to not take their prescribed medications due to excessive costs. 

A 2014 survey from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation showed that between 199 and 2009, the number of prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. increased by 39 percent from 2.8 billion to 3.9 billion.

Researchers found that many are in search of a lower-cost alternative. In fact, about 2 percent have bought prescription drugs from another country and over 4 percent have tried alternative therapies.

"These people are skipping doses, taking less medication or delaying filling prescriptions," said report author Robin Cohen, a health statistician at CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Not taking medications as prescribed can result in serious illness for those with chronic conditions. Furthermore, researchers found that people younger than 65 were twice as likely to not take their medications to save money than older individuals.

In fact, more than 5 percent of 18- to 64-year-olds skipped doses or took less medications to save money, while 3 percent of people aged 65 and older did so, as well. They were nearly twice as likely to not take their medications to save money as those aged 65 and older.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via NCHS Data Brief. 

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