Andrew Marr on health: what the evidence says · JRE #1056
SUBJECT: HEALTH
Not a true/false call. Every claim is logged with its sources; read the exhibits below.
Like the glaucoma research Institute put out a study, like 60% of glaucoma patients don't take their medication on time, knowing that that will cause them to go blind.
What the evidence says 01 / RECORD
Andrew Marr attributed a specific finding, that 60% of glaucoma patients fail to take their medication on time, to a study from an unnamed "glaucoma research institute." No named institute or single study reporting exactly that figure could be identified. Peer-reviewed literature does show poor adherence is common and roughly consistent with the claim: a 2023 narrative review states many studies show 60% as the average estimate of glaucoma medication adherence, with reported rates ranging from 5% to 80% depending on measurement method, and notes poor adherence results in uncontrolled intraocular pressure and thus vision loss and blindness. A pharmacy-refill study of 3,615 patients across two US chains found 63% (by MPR) to 70% (by PDC) of patients had unsatisfactory adherence (below an 80% coverage threshold) over 12 months. The approximate 60% figure and the link to blindness risk are broadly consistent with published research, but the specific attribution to a "glaucoma research institute" study appears to be a misremembered or garbled citation rather than a traceable primary source.