A new study, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, has reinforced what pharmacists have known all along—that higher co-payments lead to lower drug compliance and higher healthcare costs. The study involved looking at the medical and pharmacy claims for PPG Industries’ 2,052 employees, dependents, and retirees with Type 2 diabetes over a two-year period. The study found that those with lower co-payments adhered better to their oral diabetes medicines and averaged $3,116 less per year in total healthcare costs than those in the highest ($20+) co-payment group. PPG Industries is a global manufacturer of coatings, glass, and chemical products. The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline.

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