Effects of a Medicaid Program on Prescription Drug Availability and Acquisition

A study was conducted comparing prescription drug utilization by a sample of patients in similar three-month periods before and after enactment of a Medicaid drug program. Prescription audits and personal interviews were used. After necessary adjustments, total utilization was shown to increase from 5.43 prescriptions per patient pre-Medicaid to 9.48 prescriptions post-Medicaid. The number of different drugs used per patient also increased. The average quantity prescribed increased slightly as did the average cost per dose dispensed. Some changes in prescribing habits might be indicated since the nature of program economics make old habits more costly.