What is a significant barrier to medication compliance?

Financial limitations represent a significant barrier to medication compliance because they directly impact a patient's ability to obtain prescribed medications. When patients face financial constraints, they may prioritize essential living expenses over their healthcare needs, leading to missed doses or the decision not to fill prescriptions at all. High out-of-pocket costs, including co-pays and the price of medications, can deter patients from adhering to their treatment plans, ultimately affecting their health outcomes.

In contrast, while lack of vitamin supplementation, availability of health information, and the use of alternative therapies may influence a patient's overall health or treatment approach, they do not have as direct or pressing an impact on medication adherence as financial limitations do. For instance, lacking vitamins might lead to nutritional deficiencies, but it doesn't directly prevent someone from taking their prescribed medications. Similarly, the availability of health information can empower patients but does not address the practicalities of affording medications. The use of alternative therapies could vary widely among individuals and may or may not interfere with prescribed regimens, but it generally reflects personal choices rather than systemic barriers to compliance.