High drug prices worsen disease---people can’t afford and refuse to take the medication.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cited the high cost of prescription drugs to cause more than 9 million adults to not take their medications as instructed.1

Prescription drugs can be expensive, especially in the U.S. In fact, research shows that Americans spend more on prescription drugs per capita than people in any other country—or about $1,200 more per person.2 And these high costs are not without consequences.

The high cost of prescription drugs has caused more than 9 million adults between the ages of 18 and 64 to skip doses, take smaller amounts, or delay refills, according to a recently released report by the CDC. That number represents 8.2% of adults in 2021 who did not take the prescriptions they needed.1

According to the CDC, women were most likely to skip or delay taking prescribed drugs. Those with disabilities were also impacted by rising drug costs, with 20% taking measures to ration their medications because of cost. And, people in poor health and those without health insurance also did not take their medications as prescribed due to the associated expense.1

“Even when they are covered by their insurance, American patients who struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs often choose not to take them,” Laura Purdy, MD, MBA, board-certified family medicine physician told Health.

“Many people are hesitant to take chronic disease-treating medications, such as those for diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol simply because of cost,” she said. “But, this dilemma can lead to a worsening health condition, hospitalization, or even death.”