Statin Prescriptions Highlight Healthcare Inequalities, Australia

Main Category: Cholesterol
Also Included In: Statins;  Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 29 Mar 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Statin prescription varies across geographic locations in Australia, according to a study in The Australian Journal of Rural Health by published Wiley-Blackwell.

This difference in statin prescribing not only demonstrates inequalities in healthcare due to geography, it also suggests that the accessibility of health services may a key factor determining its usage.

Statin is used globally to lower cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In 2005, Australia spent 945 million, or approximately 16 per cent of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) budget on statins alone.

The study entitled "Gender, socioeconomic status, need or access? Differences in statin prescribing across urban, rural and remote Australia" used PBS data on statin prescribing to demonstrate that statin prescribing varies by geographic location, with rates decreasing as the population moves from the urban to rural and remote areas. This trend remains constant even with adjustments for age, gender and socioeconomic status.

Co-author Professor Nigel Stocks from the University of Adelaide said, "There has been well recognized shortage of general practitioners in rural and remote areas. If people are unable to get an appointment with their GP, they may not receive the optimal preventive care needed - the prescription of statins for the primary and secondary prevention of CHD might very well be reflective of this issue."

He adds, "More research should be done to confirm that access to health services affects statin use, both in Australia and overseas. We must determine how individuals and groups at high risk of CHD disease in the community can be provided with the appropriate medical services."

This paper is published in the March 2009 issue of The Australian Journal of Rural Health (Vol.17, Issue 2, pg 92 - 96).

About Australian Journal of Rural Health

The Australian Journal of Rural Healthis a multidisciplinary refereed journal, and since its inception in 1993 has contributed to the accumulation of knowledge of rural health in Australia. The Journal aims to establish a national and international reputation for the quality of its scholarly discourse and value to rural health professionals. In 1999 the Australian Journal of Rural Health became the official journal of the National Rural Health Alliance, which is the peak body for rural and remote health organizations in Australia. As well as its readers in Australia, the Journal is taken by subscribers in Canada, Japan, USA and the United Kingdom. Readership includes general practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists, health administrators, universities, rural health units and libraries.

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