New users of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) who had heavily subsidized insurance with significantly lower out-of-pocket costs were more apt to be nonadherent, according to a study involving 836 individuals. Participants with Medicare Part D coverage had chronic myeloid leukemia and were prescribed TKIs for the first time. Investigators looked at the relationship between out-of-pocket costs per 30-day drug supply, Medicare Part D plan characteristics, and treatment adherence. Among the results:

• 3 of every 10 patients were nonadherent during the first 6 months of treatment.
• Patients with heavily subsidized coverage were nearly 7 times more likely to be nonadherent vs those without a subsidy.
• Patients who were moderately subsidized were 3 times more likely to be nonadherent.