Related Experiment Videos
Prescribed medicines: who takes what?
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|December 1, 1980
Summary
Prescribed medicine dispensing rose 21% in England and Wales, but patient use did not increase proportionally. This suggests more people may be non-adherent to prescribed medication regimens.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Pharmaceutical Services Research
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Significant increase in prescribed medicines dispensed in England and Wales between 1969 and 1977.
- Previous research indicates shifts in medicine distribution across demographic groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare reported prescribed medicine consumption between 1969 and 1977.
- To investigate if the rise in dispensed medicines correlated with increased patient usage.
Main Methods:
- Utilized survey data from the Institute for Social Studies in Medical Care.
- Compared self-reported medicine consumption patterns across two distinct time periods.
Main Results:
- Observed changes in medicine distribution across age, sex, and social class.
- No commensurate increase in reported medicine use despite a 21% rise in dispensed prescriptions.
- Suggests a potential increase in medication non-adherence.
Conclusions:
- The rise in dispensed prescriptions may not reflect actual patient consumption.
- Growing patient non-adherence to prescribed medication is a potential contributing factor.
- Further research is needed to understand trends in medication adherence.