Expectations regarding prescription renewal and factors associated with them—a nationwide survey of medicine users

Abstract Objectives Users of prescription medicines often require prescription renewal. However, there is very little research on their expectations for renewal. This study aimed to investigate medicine users’ expectations regarding prescription renewal and factors associated with them, as well as channels used to request prescription renewal. Methods The study data were collected through an online survey conducted via Finland’s nationwide electronic healthcare services in October 2021. The associations between respondents’ background variables and expectations regarding prescription renewal were examined using logistic regression analysis. Key findings Of the respondents (n = 1723), 1695 used prescription medicines and were included in the analysis. Of them, 93.7% had expectations regarding prescription renewal. The most common expectation was that the prescription would be renewed as soon as possible (53.0%). Of all respondents, 80.1% had therapeutic expectations regarding renewal. The most frequently reported therapeutic expectation was that the prescriber would establish the respondent’s other medicines and ensure their compatibility before renewal (36.5%). Several factors were associated with therapeutic expectations regarding renewal: gender, certain chronic illnesses, the reported sufficiency of pharmacotherapy monitoring, and experiencing problems with pharmacotherapies. The most frequently used prescription renewal channels were the nationwide patient portal MyKanta (93.6%) and real-time contact with a physician (39.0%). Conclusions Most of the respondents had therapeutic expectations regarding prescription renewal. It is important that these expectations are considered in health care. To meet them, pharmacotherapy monitoring should be an essential part of prescription renewal.