Why aren't people picking up their prescriptions? A Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that 24% of respondents said they had a hard time affording their medication.  Certain groups of respondents reported even greater difficulty: 58% of people who spent $100 or more per month on medication had difficulty with cost.

High out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications is one of the causes for not taking medications as prescribed.  The term for not taking medications as prescribed is 'non-adherence.'  Non-adherence is a huge problem.  It is estimated that 33-69% of hospitalizations are caused by medication non-adherence.

Accordingly, making prescription medication more affordable for patients may lower individual suffering and overall health care costs by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.