Take Your Medicine

Study finds taking prescription drugs now can save on medical expenses later.
The Los Angeles Times (1/7, Kaplan) "Booster Shots" blog reports that a new study published in Health Affairs "says that people with four common chronic illnesses saved themselves -- and the healthcare system -- big bucks by taking their meds instead of skipping them." Researchers analyzed data on "135,000 patients with congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol." The study, funded by CVS Caremark, "found that people who took their meds made fewer visits to the emergency room and spent fewer days in the hospital." The New York Times (1/7) "Prescriptions" blog also reports the story.