Free heart meds reduce heart attacks, heart failure but not revascularization rates

Study Highlights:

• Compared to patients who had prescription co-pays, heart attack patients whose insurance company picked up the entire tab for their heart medications had fewer subsequent heart attacks and heart failure, but no reduction in the rate of revascularization to reopen clogged arteries.
• Patients who got the free medications were more likely to take their medicine as prescribed.
• Free medicine saved patients money while not increasing overall healthcare costs.

ORLANDO, FLA., Nov. 14, 2011 ― Heart attack patients who got free medications had lower rates of rehospitalization for heart attack or heart failure compared to patients who had prescription co-pays, however, they did not have a reduction in the rate of revascularization to reopen clogged arteries, according to late-breaking research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011. Read the full article...