Medication Use and Health Care Utilization After a Cost-sharing Increase in Schizophrenia: A Nationwide Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Increases in prescription drug cost-sharing may decrease adherence to treatment among persons with schizophrenia and lead to discontinuation of use and an increased risk of hospitalization.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of new deductible and increased drug copayments implemented on antipsychotic and other drug purchases and on rates of hospitalizations and primary care contacts among persons with schizophrenia in Finland.

Research design

Interrupted time series analysis.

Subjects

All persons with schizophrenia in Finland who were alive at the beginning of 2015 (N=41,017).

Measures

We measured the rates of antipsychotic, other psychotropic and cardiometabolic drug purchasers, hospitalizations, and primary c

SUBMITTER: Hamina A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7497420 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature