Frequent general practitioner visits are protective against statin discontinuation after a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme copayment increase.

ConclusionsPatients who visited their GP at least three times per year had a lower risk of ceasing their statins in the year following the copayment increase. GPs can help patients maintain treatment following rises in medicines costs.What is known about the topic?Following the 21% increase in medication copayment in 2005, individuals discontinued or reduced their statin usage, including for tertiary prevention.What does this paper add?Patients who visited their GP at least three times per year were less likely to discontinue their statin therapy for tertiary prevention following a large copayment increase.What are the implications for practitioners?This paper identifies the important role that GPs have in maintaining the continued use of important medications following rises in medicines costs. PMID: 32389176 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Australian Health Review - Category: Hospital Management Authors: Tags: Aust Health Rev Source Type: research