Drug coverage and drug purchases by Medicare beneficiaries with hypertension.

Research has shown that older Americans with prescription drug coverage purchase more medications; however, it is unclear whether they are more likely to purchase essential medications. This study addresses that question by examining the relationship between drug coverage and medication purchases among older Americans with hypertension. It finds that drug coverage has a significant impact: It lowers the likelihood that persons with hypertension will go without antihypertensive drugs, and it raises the number of tablets purchased among those who purchase these essential drugs.