FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONTACT: Erin Wendel 202.429.7558; ewendel@APhAnet.org
March 24, 2009     

Pharmacists Survey Gives Insight into the Impact of the Economic Downturn on
Patients, Pharmacy Practice, and their Communities 

Washington, DC – It comes as no surprise that the current economic climate is having an impact on the nation’s pharmacists and on patient’s medication use.  A recent opinion survey of pharmacists conducted by the American Pharmacists Association, found nearly all respondents said the economic downturn has had an impact on their community; a large majority say the downturn has had an impact on their practice; and two-thirds say the downturn has had an impact on their job.

More than half of the pharmacists believe patients have altered their adherence to their previous medication regimen (i.e. split tablets, skipped doses) or switched to a lower cost generic alternative due to the economic downturn. According to four in ten pharmacists, patients have also postponed medical procedures, stopped taking medicines, or turned to physician samples. One-third also believe patients have enrolled in a patient assistance program or switched to a different pharmacy.

Among pharmacist respondents to the survey:

• Chain pharmacists are the most likely to say patients have switched to a lower cost over-the-counter medication (OTC).
• Independent pharmacists are more likely than hospital pharmacists to believe patients have stopped taking medicines and are using complementary and alternative therapies.
• Hospital pharmacists are most likely to say patients have visited the ER more often.
• Rural pharmacists are most likely to believe patients switched to lower cost generic alternatives or turned to physician samples. They are also more likely than urban pharmacists to feel that patients have altered their adherence.

Medications improve treatment and reduce costs of chronic disease, but only when used correctly.  The annual costs of drug-related illness and death in ambulatory care settings alone were estimated at more than $177 billion. Many of these costs can be prevented.(1)  The most common types of medication misuse include: taking the incorrect dose, missing doses and stopping medicine too soon.

“While patients may try to economize by splitting tablets, taking daily medications every other day or just waiting a month to refill prescriptions, these practices are harmful and can even be deadly,” said John A. Gans APhA chief executive officer.  “We encourage patients to talk to their pharmacists or physician before stopping or altering any medication regimen. Pharmacists are a valuable resource and will work with the patient and their healthcare team to seek alternative solutions.”

Impact on the Pharmacy Profession
More than one-third of the pharmacists surveyed have spent more time with patients to help negotiate the costs of their prescriptions or find medications they can afford. Half have received pressure from management to decrease costs. Three in ten have also decreased staff or closed the pharmacy or seen a decrease in the number of patients or prescriptions.

About the Survey
The opinion survey was e-mailed to nearly 5,000 pharmacists by the American Pharmacists Association in February 2009 to better understand the impact of the current economy on pharmacists, their practice and patients. Overall, the survey received an 11% response rate with over 500 responses. The respondents were from a variety of practice settings; however nearly half are community pharmacists. 

View further results of the survey at pharmacist.com. For additional information on the economy’s impact on pharmacists and patients, please see the Economic Effects article in the March issue of Pharmacy Today.

About the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA members provide care in all practice settings, including community pharmacies, health systems, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, hospice settings, and the uniformed services.

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1. Ernst FR, Grizzle AJ. Drug-related morbidity and mortality: updating the cost-of-illness model. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2001;41:192–9.