Why asthma patients are skipping out on essential medication
The cost of asthma medication has left those with the condition skipping out on certain medicines to save money, a new study has found.
Research has found over half of adults with asthma and a third of children are decreasing or not taking their medication due to the out-of-pocket costs, Helen Reddell from the Woolcock Institute of Global Health found.
“Although we have a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, there’s still a patient contribution. And for around about 40 per cent of people with asthma, that can be up to $40 for a month of treatment,” Professor Reddel said.
“For people who have a concession card, it’s just over $6.”
Reddell said the research led professors to believe those suffering from asthma are opting for over-the-counter prescriptions instead of essential preventer medication.
“The risks of just using a reliever inhaler on its own with no preventer are absolutely well established,” she said.
“By using a preventer, you can reduce that risk by a half to two thirds.”
Michele Goldman who is the chief executive of Asthma Australia explained asthma is an “underestimated” killer “by the community.”
“Eighty nine per cent of patients are prescribed [more expensive] combination therapies, whilst 70 per cent should achieve good control on [less-expensive] inhaled corticosteroids alone,” Ms Goldman said, as reported by the ABC.
“The GP is the gatekeeper. They’re the one who controls what medication they’re going to prescribe to the patient in front of them.
“So, along with further subsidies for asthma medications, it needs to be accompanied with education for health professionals.
“If you are well, the last thing you want to do is take a tablet.”
President of the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners, Harry Nespolon denied that GP’s misunderstood the costs of asthma medications.
“I certainly don’t raise [cost] with patients every time. But if a patient wants to raise it with me, I’m more than happy to talk to them about it,” he said.
“It really is up to the patient. Embarrassment can work both ways.”
Instead, Dr Nespolon said the issue affects all preventative medication.
Not adherence [to taking prescribed medication] is a problem for all medications, whether it’s blood pressure tablets, whether it’s antidepressants, whether it’s anti-asthmatic medication, they all have problems,” he said.
“When patients feel well, they don’t tend to want to take their medications.”