PA attitudes toward prescription drug costs

This descriptive comparative study assessed PAs' knowledge of drug costs and attitudes about prescribing prescription medications. Data were collected using a modified questionnaire. The survey instrument assessed PAs' attitudes about prescribing as well as their knowledge of prescription medication costs. Forty percent of the sample population were able to accurately identify the correct cost of medications. Most of the sample population considered costs when making a prescriptive decision. There were significant differences in the prescribing attitudes of PAs in various practice settings and medical specialties. The results of this study with PAs are similar to those of previous investigations involving physicians' knowledge of drug costs. We should recognize this deficit and ensure that a discussion of drug costs, particularly those associated with the Medicare population, is an important part of PA continuing education.