Study finds risk of medication discontinuation is greatest for new patients at the start of therapy
BOSTON A new study published online Friday by Adheris Inc., a provider of direct-to-patient, pharmacy-based programs, found that patients new to chronic disease medication face the greatest risk of medication discontinuation during the first 30 days of treatment— with rates of discontinuation ranging from 29.6% to 78.1%.
Medication discontinuation among 2.17 million patients prescribed agents for asthma, glaucoma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and high cholesterol was measured over one year following the initial prescription. Patients considered new to therapy included both newly-diagnosed patients and patients restarting treatment after a lapse of six or more months.
Overall rates of discontinuation for such patients were 12 times greater in the first month of treatment than during any subsequent month, the study found. Additional key kindings included:
- Discontinuation was most rapid among patients prescribed asthma inhalers, asthma pills, and glaucoma drops
- Intermediate discontinuation rates for patients prescribed medications for breast cancer, diabetes (insulin), and osteoporosis
- The least rapid rates were found for patients prescribed medications for cardiovascular illness, high cholesterol, and oral medications for diabetes
- Three-out-of-four medication classes most likely to be discontinued were all non-oral medications (inhaled steroids, glaucoma drops, and insulin injections).
According to lead author Mark Vanelli, M.D., MHS, Chief Medical Officer at Adheris and Harvard Medical School faculty member, “This study has clear and practical implications for improving routine clinical care and helping reduce healthcare costs. It pinpoints the need to provide patients who are new to medication or resuming medication after a lapse, with better education and follow-up during the first 30 days of treatment irrespective of the medication class prescribed.”