Atencion Primaria
Volume 42, Issue 6, 2010, Pages 328-337

Observational study on drug spending in the immigrant and the indigenous population in the Lleida (Catalonia) health region [Estudio observacional del gasto farmacéutico en población inmigrante y autóctona de la región sanitaria de Lleida (Catalua)] (Conference Paper) (Open Access)

Rué M.* , Bosch A. , Serna M.-C. , Soler-González J. , Galván L. , Cruz I.
  • a Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Spain
  • b Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
  • c Departament de Medicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain, Àmbit Atenció Primária, Institut Català de la Salut, Lleida, Spain
  • d Departament de Medicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain, Área Bàsica de Salut (ABS), Rambla Ferran, Institut Català de la Salut, Lleida, Spain
  • e Unitat de Farmàcia, Servei Català de la Salut, Lleida, Spain
  • f Unitat de Suport A la Recerca, Àmbit Atenció Primria Lleida, Jordi Gol-Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Spain, Área Bàsica de Salut (ABS), Ronda, Institut Català de la Salut, Lleida, Spain

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether there are differences in drug spending between immigrant and Spanish-born populations and to assess whether drug consumption is associated with living environment (urban/rural). Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Setting: Lleida Health Region (LHR). Participants: 22,847 immigrants and 174,768 native born subjects, aged 15 to 64 years, residing in the LHR. Main measurements: Drug spending during the year 2007, demographical variables, region of origin and residence area (urban/rural). Results: Native-born subjects spent more in all therapeutic drug groups than immigrants. In men, the relative risk ratio (RRR) of being in the highest quartile of expenditure was 3.2 (95% CI: 2.96-3.44) for native born versus immigrant and in women it was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.97-2.27). Immigrants from eastern Europe had the lowest risk of being in the highest quartile of expenditure, with statistically significant differences. Residents in the rural environment were more likely to have a higher pharmaceutical consumption than residents in the urban environment. Conclusion: Inequalities in drug spending were observed between immigrants and native born subjects. Further studies, either qualitative or mixed, should explore which factors are related to these differences and propose strategies addressed to reducing them. © 2009 Elsevier España, S.L. Todos los derechos reservados.

Author Keywords

Pharmaceutical expenditures inequalities Immigration

Index Keywords

urban area rural area immigrant drug cost demography indigenous people human middle aged Prescription Drugs Cross-Sectional Studies Confidence interval Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male Spain female risk factor observational study Conference Paper major clinical study adult drug use Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77953024890&doi=10.1016%2fj.aprim.2009.12.010&partnerID=40&md5=448b5ee9d3f04463c6c41bbc63b3171c
DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2009.12.010
ISSN: 02126567
Cited by: 5
Original Language: Spanish