Arthritis patients face barriers as cost prevents one in 20 Canadians from taking medications properly
Arthritis Research Canada has published a study showing that out-of-pocket costs prevent some Canadians from taking prescribed medications, especially among marginalized groups.
This issue, known as cost-related nonadherence, significantly affects individuals managing chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The study defines cost-related nonadherence as skipping doses, lowering dosages, delaying prescription refills, or not filling prescriptions due to financial constraints.
Researchers found that nearly one in 20 respondents aged 12 and older reported such behaviours. Females faced 44 percent higher odds of cost-related nonadherence compared to males.
“Prescription medications are necessary for disease prevention and management, particularly for people with chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis,” said Mary De Vera, a senior scientist at Arthritis Research Canada. “However, they are not always taken as prescribed.”
Prescription medications are a major expense in Canada's health care system, costing $43bn in 2021 and accounting for 13 percent of annual health care spending.
Despite their importance, medications are not universally covered under public health insurance. Canadians paid approximately $7.4bn out of pocket for prescriptions in 2021, representing 17.3 percent of total drug expenditures.
This out-of-pocket spending is projected to grow faster than other health care costs.
The study, which included responses from 233,085 individuals, identified disparities in medication adherence.
Cost-related nonadherence was higher among groups such as women, Indigenous peoples, Latin Americans, multiracial individuals, West Asians, Arabs, Blacks, East Asians, Southeast Asians, and those identifying as bisexual or pansexual.
Other factors influencing adherence included age, education, marital status, annual income, home ownership, and province of residence.
“Taking medication as prescribed is extremely important for people living with chronic diseases like arthritis as it improves quality of life and reduces the risk of serious complications,” said lead researcher Nevena Rebić, a PhD and former Arthritis Research Canada trainee.
The study’s findings highlight the need for potential changes in public drug coverage policies.
Rebić stated, “This research may be used to inform potential expansion of public drug coverage eligibility, premiums, and cost-sharing policies that address financial barriers to medication adherence in Canada.”
The research has significant implications for arthritis care, as many subgroups facing higher rates of cost-related nonadherence also experience disproportionate rates of arthritis.
Addressing these financial barriers could improve adherence to prescribed treatments, enhance quality of life, and reduce complications for individuals managing arthritis and other chronic conditions.
