Primary adherence decreases with greater number of acne treatments

More than one-quarter of patients prescribed treatments for acne do not fill all their prescriptions, particularly those prescribed more than one treatment, research suggests.

A telephone survey of 143 individuals prescribed treatments for acne showed that 27% of patients did not fill all their prescriptions, and primary nonadherence was higher in those prescribed topical retinoid or over-the-counter products, according to data published online March 20 in JAMA Dermatology.

Nine percent of patients who were prescribed one medication did not fill all their prescriptions, 40% of those prescribed two treatments and 31% of those prescribed three treatments did not fill all their prescriptions (JAMA Dermatol. 2015, March 20 [doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.5254]).

“Common justifications [for not filling prescriptions] included cost, forgetfulness, similar treatments already on hand, not agreeing with the prescribed regimen, and improvement of skin condition before obtaining the prescriptions,” wrote Kathryn L. Anderson and colleagues of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.

The study center is supported by a grant from Galderma Laboratories. One author reported speaker fees, grants, advisory board positions, and stock ownership for a range of pharmaceutical companies.

More than one-quarter of patients prescribed treatments for acne do not fill all their prescriptions, particularly those prescribed more than one treatment, research suggests.

A telephone survey of 143 individuals prescribed treatments for acne showed that 27% of patients did not fill all their prescriptions, and primary nonadherence was higher in those prescribed topical retinoid or over-the-counter products, according to data published online March 20 in JAMA Dermatology.

Nine percent of patients who were prescribed one medication did not fill all their prescriptions, 40% of those prescribed two treatments and 31% of those prescribed three treatments did not fill all their prescriptions (JAMA Dermatol. 2015, March 20 [doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.5254]).

“Common justifications [for not filling prescriptions] included cost, forgetfulness, similar treatments already on hand, not agreeing with the prescribed regimen, and improvement of skin condition before obtaining the prescriptions,” wrote Kathryn L. Anderson and colleagues of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.

The study center is supported by a grant from Galderma Laboratories. One author reported speaker fees, grants, advisory board positions, and stock ownership for a range of pharmaceutical companies.

More than one-quarter of patients prescribed treatments for acne do not fill all their prescriptions, particularly those prescribed more than one treatment, research suggests.

A telephone survey of 143 individuals prescribed treatments for acne showed that 27% of patients did not fill all their prescriptions, and primary nonadherence was higher in those prescribed topical retinoid or over-the-counter products, according to data published online March 20 in JAMA Dermatology.

Nine percent of patients who were prescribed one medication did not fill all their prescriptions, 40% of those prescribed two treatments and 31% of those prescribed three treatments did not fill all their prescriptions (JAMA Dermatol. 2015, March 20 [doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.5254]).

“Common justifications [for not filling prescriptions] included cost, forgetfulness, similar treatments already on hand, not agreeing with the prescribed regimen, and improvement of skin condition before obtaining the prescriptions,” wrote Kathryn L. Anderson and colleagues of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.

The study center is supported by a grant from Galderma Laboratories. One author reported speaker fees, grants, advisory board positions, and stock ownership for a range of pharmaceutical companies.