Medication Adherence Statistics: how often medicines are not taken as prescribed
The figures most often quoted on medication non-adherence in the U.S., with where each one comes from.
of medications for chronic disease are not taken as prescribed.
Source: Review in Annals of Internal Medicine, as reported by Becker’s Hospital Review
of prescriptions are never filled.
deaths a year in the U.S. are estimated to be linked to non-adherence, along with at least 10% of hospitalizations.
Source: Becker’s Hospital Review summary of published estimates
estimated yearly cost of non-adherence to the U.S. health system.
Source: Becker’s Hospital Review summary of published estimates
of heart attack patients do not take their blood pressure medicines; about 33% of kidney transplant patients miss anti-rejection medicines.
Source: Becker’s Hospital Review
What it means
Most non-adherence comes from ordinary friction — forgetting, confusing schedules, running out. Simple records and refill warnings address the most common causes.
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