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Cited by 105Pharmaceutical Economics and PolicyPharmacy and Medical PracticesHealthcare Systems and Reforms

Access to medicines: cost as an influence on the views and behaviour of patients

Schafheutle, Ellen I., Hassell, Karen, Noyce, Peter R.·2002·Health & Social Care in the Community
DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2524.2002.00356.x
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Abstract

The present paper explores how charges for medicines incurred by patients influence their decisions for managing acute or chronic conditions, and whether prescription cost and affordability issues are discussed in the general practitioner (GP)-patient encounter. People suffering from dyspepsia, hay fever or hypertension, or those taking hormone replacement therapy, were recruited through three community pharmacies in the North-west of England. Six focus groups were conducted with a total of 31 participants, the majority of whom were non-exempt from prescription charges. The management behaviour of those participants who had to pay for their prescriptions, particularly those from less-affluent or deprived backgrounds, was influenced by cost. However, cost was not the overriding influence, with other factors, such as symptom or disease severity, effectiveness, or necessity of treatment, playing a more important part in participants' management decisions. Cost as an issue was reflected in the various strategies used by participants to reduce medication cost, such as not having some prescribed items dispensed, taking a smaller dose or buying a cheaper over-the-counter product. Despite the use of numerous strategies, participants did not talk to their GPs about issues of cost and affordability. Participants felt that paying for prescriptions was their problem. There was a belief that discussing cost issues could jeopardise the doctor-patient relationship. Although not the dominant factor, medication cost nevertheless influenced participants when deciding how to manage their condition. Awareness of the existence of prepayment certificates, which can be bought by patients who require regular medication, was low, and this should be addressed through improved information/dissemination. Despite the high level of prescription items exempt, the current level of the prescription charge is still a barrier to obtaining prescription medicines under the National Health Service to those on lower incomes.

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Authors
Schafheutle, E. I., Hassell, K., & Noyce, P. R.
Affiliations
University of Manchester (GB)
ORCID
Schafheutle, Ellen I.
Venue
Health & Social Care in the Community
Publisher
Hindawi Limited
Published
2002-04-30
Volume
10
Issue
3
Pages
187-195
ISSN
0966-0410 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2524.2002.00356.x
OpenAlex
W2076062096
Cited by
105
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
FWCI
13.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Health & Social Care in the Community (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmacy and Medical Practices
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Finance › Healthcare Systems and Reforms
Keywords
prescription charges, drug affordability, patient decision-making, socioeconomic deprivation, physician-patient relationship, dyspepsia, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, hormone replacement therapy, National Health Service
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Communication, Decision Making, England, Fees, Pharmaceutical, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Compliance, Physician-Patient Relations, Cost Sharing, Focus Groups, Drugs, Essential

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