When Costs of Medication Trigger Nonadherence Among Persons Living with HIV

Among PLWH, 7% reported that concerns over prescription drug costs led to nonadherence, which was associated with poorer health outcomes.

Adherence to medication among persons living with HIV (PLWH) optimizes individual health outcomes and prevents further HIV transmission. To examine the influence of drug costs on nonadherence, CDC investigators analyzed Medical Monitoring Project data from 2016–2017.

Some 14% of 3948 PLWH utilized cost-saving strategies regarding their medications. Half of these (7%) reported cost saving–related nonadherence (defined as skipping doses, taking less medicine, or delaying filling a prescription). Cost saving–related nonadherence was associated with having private insurance, not having Medicaid coverage, or needing — but not receiving — medications from the Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Program. In addition, the nonadherent group had reduced r…

Reviewing Author

Wendy S. Armstrong, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNIH Therapeutics and Prevention Data Safety Monitoring Board

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Board (member), Infectious Diseases Society of America (Vice President)

Wendy S. Armstrong, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNIH Therapeutics and Prevention Data Safety Monitoring Board

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Board (member), Infectious Diseases Society of America (Vice President)

When Costs of Medication Trigger Nonadherence Among Persons Living with HIV

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Reviewing Author