Money for Medication

This study explores, from the point of view of main stakeholders, the ethical issues attached to offering a financial incentive for patients to take antipsychotic medication. Evidence from the US shows that financial incentives, a payment of a fixed sum of money for taking medication, can substantially improve adherence in various medical conditions, including anti-tuberculotic drugs, dental care, weight reduction, cocaine dependence, and anti-hypertensive treatment.

Encouraged by these positive results, some have suggested offering money for medication to people with mental illness who may currently not be taking their prescribed antipsychotic medication. However, there is a concern that patients, their carers, and mental health staff may consider a financial incentive scheme as yet another form of coercive intervention.

Across South East England 25 focus groups have been conducted with 139 participants including people with personal experience of mental health treatment, carers, consultant psychiatrists, trainee psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, mental health team managers, health economists, non-executive directors of a mental health trust,  representatives of voluntary organisations, user forum representatives, and multidisciplinary teams.

Project researchers
John Larsen

Collaborators
Queen Mary, University of London
Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton
South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, Springfield University Hospital

Links
Journal published in the Journal of Medical Ethics

Funded by
The Wellcome Trust

Project to report in
2009