Reducing Prescription Abandonment in Community Pharmacy

Prescription abandonment remains a persistent challenge in community pharmacy, particularly for patients prescribed high-cost or specialty medications.¹ When patients are unable to afford their medications or face administrative barriers, prescriptions often go unfilled, leading to poor clinical outcomes and increased health care costs.²

Community pharmacists are in a unique position to address this issue by implementing targeted, workflow-driven strategies that improve medication access and adherence.³

One of the most effective approaches begins at the point of prescription processing. Early identification of high copays or coverage limitations allows pharmacy teams to intervene proactively. By flagging prescriptions with affordability concerns, pharmacists can immediately explore alternatives such as therapeutic substitutions, formulary-preferred options, or financial assistance programs.

Benefit verification is a critical first step. Understanding a patient’s insurance coverage, copay structure, and prior authorization requirements enables pharmacists to anticipate potential delays and act before the patient arrives at the pharmacy. This proactive approach significantly reduces wait times and improves patient satisfaction.⁴

Prior authorization support is another key area where pharmacies can make a meaningful impact. By coordinating closely with prescribers and providing necessary documentation, pharmacy teams can help expedite approvals and prevent treatment delays. Establishing standardized processes for handling prior authorizations improves efficiency and reduces administrative burden.³

Financial assistance programs, including manufacturer copay cards and independent foundation support, play an essential role in reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving medication access.

Equally important is patient communication. Transparent discussions about medication costs, expected timelines, and available options help build trust and encourage patients to remain engaged in their care. Follow-up calls or messages can further reduce abandonment by ensuring that patients initiate and continue therapy.

Independent community pharmacies are particularly well suited to implement these strategies due to their flexibility and personalized approach. By combining clinical expertise with operational efficiency, they can deliver meaningful improvements in medication access and adherence.³

Addressing prescription abandonment requires a coordinated effort, but the impact is significant. By adopting practical, patient-centered workflows, community pharmacists can play a vital role in improving health outcomes and reducing overall health care costs.¹

REFERENCES

1. IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science. Medicine Use and Spending in the U.S.: A Review of 2023 and Outlook to 2028. January 16, 2024. Accessed April 9, 2026. https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/reports-and-publications/reports/the-global-use-of-medicines-2024-outlook-to-2028

2. Neiman AB, Ruppar T, Ho M, et al. CDC Grand Rounds: Improving Medication Adherence for Chronic Disease Management — Innovations and Opportunities. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017;66. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6645a2.

3. AAlonazi AH, Almutairi AK, Alshkarah FAA, et al. The role of pharmacists in patient care and medication management. J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol. 29(04), 2577-2581. doi:https://doi.org/10.53555/jptcp.v29i04.5491

4. NCPA releases 2025 Digest Report. News release. NCPA. October 19, 2025. Accessed April 9, 2026. https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2025/10/19/ncpa-releases-2025-digest-report