The effects of prescription drug copayments on statin adherence.
BACKGROUND
High copayments may present a barrier to medication adherence among patients with chronic conditions such as hyperlipidemia.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of statin copayments on statin adherence among individuals with employer-based insurance.


METHODS
We used a cross-sectional time-series design, with patient as the cross section and month as the time unit.


METHODS
Medical and pharmacy claims among continuously enrolled statin users were selected from the 2000-2003 Medstat MarketScan database. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the effects of copayment changes on statin adherence. Adherence was derived from the medication possession ratio, which represents the percentage of days on therapy each month. Separate estimates were obtained for new statin users (n = 142 341) and for continuing statin users (n = 92 344).


RESULTS
Higher copayments were associated with lower statin adherence rates. A 100% index copayment increase had a larger effect on monthly adherence (2.6 and 1.1 percentage point decreases in adherence among new users and continuing users, respectively [both P < .01]) than a 100% copayment increase over time (a 1.1 percentage point decrease among new users [P < .01] and a nonsignificant decrease among continuing users). In all models, new statin users were more price sensitive than continuing users.


CONCLUSIONS
High copayments are a financial barrier to statin adherence. The index copayment amount can affect compliance with statin use. Given the relationship between statin use and decreased frequency of cardiovascular events and procedures, the implications of high copayments should be considered by policy makers.
Gibson
Teresa B
TB
Thomson Medstat, 777 E Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA. teresa.gibson@thomson.com
Mark
Tami L
TL
McGuigan
Kimberly A
KA
Axelsen
Kirsten
K
Wang
Shaohung
S
D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017047:Cost Sharing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D014481:United States
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents