A new report from a Biennial Health Insurance Survey shows that 48 million Americans did not fill a prescription due to cost in 2010, up from 29 million in 2001 – a 66% increase. The study includes both insured and uninsured Americans but does not include children and seniors. The study indicates that the recession has greatly affected consumers taking prescription drugs, as 9 million out of 16 million Americans who have lost their jobs have also lost their health insurance.

It is difficult to estimate how many Americans are suffering or dying because they cannot afford proper medication. As evidenced by the new report, the situation is particularly dire for uninsured Americans with chronic medical conditions, as 27 million “skipped doses or did not fill a prescription for their condition because of the cost.”

The report also showed that the individuals who cannot afford medication, can also not afford important medical treatment. As covered in the U.S. News and World Report, of nine million who lost their health insurance, 72% said that they couldn’t afford to: fill a prescription; get a recommended test, treatment or follow-up; go to a doctor or clinic for a medical problem, or get specialist care.

The report forecasts that the aforementioned problems will worsen until 2014 when the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented. However, as the study shows, having health insurance does not guarantee prescription drug affordability. Last year, 18% of insured Americans with a chronic medication condition did not fill a prescription due to cost. Most health insurance plans simply do not cover all medications and sometimes the co-payments or co-insurance to obtain them are beyond the reach of many Americans.