Reducing prescription drug copays for workers with chronic diseases increases their medication adherence, reports a group of doctors. Their study examined copays and utilization within the context of a disease management program.

Following a similar strategy used by Pitney Bowes in 2002, the employer in the study reduced its copays for medications treating heart diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol and asthma. Copays for generic medications were reduced from $5 to zero, while copays for brand-name drugs were lowered from $25 to $12.50.

Researchers analyze 2004 and 2005 prescription drug and disease management data from this employer and a similar firm with an identical disease management offering. The control employer also had similar copays to the sample employer before it reduced its copays.

Employees and dependents ages 18-64 were eligible for the study. Researchers note, however, the sample group, on average, was about six years younger and slightly more female than the control group. Furthermore, adherence and non-adherence were defined by the ratio of eligible days each patient was in possession of his or her medicine.

The data shows that, for the sample employer, adherence to medication increased for four of the five medication classes, thus reducing non-adherence by 7% to 14%. The complete findings appear in the Jan.-Feb. issue of Health Affairs. The research was funded, in part, by the pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline.

"[W]ith this study, we are able to show that removing economic barriers to medication can positively affect patient behavior," says Dr. Michael C. Sokol, medical director at GSK's health management innovations team and co-author of the study.

The medical community needs "to encourage patients to take medications as prescribed for these chronic conditions, and encourage employers to support the health management efforts of their workers," says co-author Dr. A. Mark Fendrick from the University of Michigan.