If you are not taking your medicine as prescribed, it’s called non-compliance. And you are not alone.

There are numerous studies done about this and those in the health care field are trying to solve this American dilemma.

It’s really scary to realize that nearly 50 percent of people don’t take their prescription medicine as they are directed. Only 40 percent of those with coronary artery disease (clogged arteries) faithfully follow the doctor’s instructions and between 25 percent and 50 percent of people with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol stay on their medication for less than a year after starting.

Why is this?

Not surprising, the biggest reason is cost. Thirty percent of those who don’t comply with the doctor’s recommendation state they cannot afford the medication, regardless of all the drug programs that are available. Many senior citizens do not have a drug insurance program because of cost. Others may not know about the special, reduced-cost programs that Maine has, or have not signed up.

Another 25 percent claim they don’t take their prescriptions because of the side effects. And another 20 percent who don’t take the medications use the reason that “they don’t do any good.”

Cost is the biggest reason people don’t take their medicine. Most drug manufacturers offer what is called Patient Assistance Programs. Many people don’t know about these and they are not advertised widely. It happens that a friend of mine is taking four prescription medicines a day. All of them are name brand and very expensive. Her income is less than $1,000 a month and after deducting $300 for insurance (she doesn’t qualify for Medicare yet), rent, car expense, food, utilities and other routine expenses, there is little, if any, left. Add to this an average cost of $250 a month for prescriptions (there are no generics for these) and you can easily understand the real problem. Her Social Security is her only income. Does this sound like a familiar scenario?

We went on the Internet to the Web site of the manufacturer of two of her medications. They have a Patient Assistance Program, and people can qualify if they have no prescription drug insurance and make less than $20,420 a year. We copied off the application form for their program, which provides free prescriptions for a year. With the application one must send proof of income (photocopy of tax return and/or Social Security statement). The forms are very easy to complete. If accepted, drugs are usually sent in 90-day supplies to either your home or the doctor’s office. You need to remember to renew at the end of the year, but some companies will send reminders.

Another company, which makes one of the other drugs she needs to take, allows you to earn $30,000 a year.

There are hundreds of drug manufacturers offering such programs and their income allowance varies.

I realize only about half of senior citizens have computers with Internet capability, but it would be worthwhile, I would think, to find someone (a grandchild?) to explore getting drugs for free. There are some companies who make generic drugs, and they’re available, too. Meanwhile, look at the racks of folders at the doctor’s office and find the ones for the companies that make your brand-name, expensive drugs. A little detective work and you might be able to get your drugs for free – and then be sure and take them as directed. We want you around for a long time.

It seems almost criminal that we’d be living in a society that offers health-improving drugs but that those who need them most cannot afford to purchase them. I really wonder sometimes if our policy-making folks in Washington (and Augusta) know what drug insurance costs, what drugs cost, and that many people receive just Social Security for their income and no pensions or other benefits.

Information for this article was researched through Consumer Reports, Pfizer Laboratories Connection to Care program, and AstraZeneca Prescription Savings. If you have a problem getting this information from the Internet, and would like the Web site for these or other drug manufacturers, contact me at kso48@aol.com.