Oct 23, 2008 7:30 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Consumers Risking Health To Save Cash
Patients Forgoing Prescription Medications For Daily Necessities
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The economic crisis is taking a toll on our nation's health care, as Americans are making financial decisions that may put their health in jeopardy.
In the tough economy, almost everyone is faced with having to make sacrifices.
Although arguably nothing is more essential than good health, many consumers are making a choice between daily necessities and prescription medications for their illnesses.
"I always ask for samples now, which I never did before," patient Sarah Ashkenazi says.
In our turbulent economic times, the nation's consumers are trying to get by on fewer prescription drugs.
"I think may patients are worried about the economy," Dr. Albert Levy, of Beth Israel Medical Center, says. "They lost their jobs, they lose their health insurance, and they have been asking me for generics much more than before."
"I noticed that the bone, for example – which is once a month, $70 a pill – [there's] no insurance on it any more," Sarah says.
Some consumers have to choose between groceries, housing, or prescription drugs.
Doctors worry that if people try to save money by forgoing medications, manageable illnesses could turn into serious medical problems.
This could cost the nation health care dollars and lives.
The number of all U.S. prescriptions dropped in the first eight months of 2008.
Sales of Pfizer's top-selling drug, Lipitor, fell 13 percent in the third quarter alone.
"We used to go to a drug store and I think on some medication, you will have to pay ten or twenty dollars," Ezra Ashkenazi said. "Today they're going to tell you forty dollars."
Generic drugs are less costly but still may not be affordable, and prescription drug co-pays are on the rise.
Dr. Levy says patients should focus on what's necessary.
"Patients should really talk to their doctors and ask, 'You know what, I want to know what is absolutely necessary for me to take,'" Levy said.
"We're not going to stop buying medicine," Sarah said. "It's not a luxury."
One option to explore if your drug costs are unaffordable is to appeal directly to the drug manufacturer.
Many offer programs to get discounted medications, and in some cases you can even get them for free.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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