Unfilled Pediatric Prescriptions a Concern

Chicago, IL—A new study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that a large portion of prescriptions to children may go unfilled. Researchers found that of approximately 17,000 prescriptions written for children at two clinics affiliated with Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 22% were never filled. These results were based on 4,833 children seen over a 2-year period. The type of medication prescribed seemed to make a difference. Parents were more likely to pick up antibiotics (91% fill rate) versus prescriptions for vitamins and minerals (65% filled). Electronic prescriptions were also 50% more likely to be filled than paper ones. All of the children were on Medicaid, so it is not clear whether the findings would be the same for those covered by private insurance.

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