ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the supply of smoking cessation medicines to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers compared to non-Indigenous smokers across Australia. METHODS: We analysed the total number of smoking cessation prescriptions dispensed over three years through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) compared to those supplied nationally through the Closing the Gap (CTG) measure and also in the Northern Territory through the Remote Area Aboriginal Health Service (RAAHS) program. RESULTS: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers were supplied with fewer smoking cessation medicines per smoker under the CTG measure compared to non-Indigenous smokers under general PBS benefits. Supply of medicines though the RAAHS program complicated the use of CTG data where higher proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in remote areas and use of the CTG measure is lower. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer smoking cessation medicines are being prescribed and then dispensed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers than to non-Indigenous smokers. Implications for public health: CTG and RAAHS data may be useful to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve the use of smoking cessation medicines by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smokers. However, there are limitations and current obstacles to accessing RAAHS data would need to be removed.
Subject(s)
Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Health Services, Indigenous/organization & administration , Smokers/statistics & numerical data , Smoking Cessation/statistics & numerical data , Smoking/adverse effects , Adult , Aged , Australia/epidemiology , Community-Based Participatory Research , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander , Northern Territory/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Smokers/psychology , Smoking/epidemiology , Smoking/ethnology , Smoking Cessation/ethnologyABSTRACT
Background: Consumer stockpiling from pharmacies has been reported by media outlets throughout the course of COVID-19. Aim: This study evaluated pharmacists' perceptions of consumer stockpiling from pharmacies, the impact of stockpiling, aggressive or hostile behaviour from customers and preparedness for COVID-19 and future pandemics. Method: A self-administered survey was disseminated between September and November of 2020. The survey comprised four major sections: demographic information, experiences of consumer stockpiling, impact of consumer stockpiling and preparedness for COVID-19 and future pandemics. Survey results were analysed in Microsoft Excel using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 56 responses analysed, most pharmacists observed consumer stockpiling of over-the-counter products (98.2%), schedule 2 and schedule 3 medications (92.8%) and prescription only medications (94.6%). The most commonly stockpiled items included face masks, hand-sanitisers and wipes, alcohol wipes and antiseptic solutions, thermometers, paracetamol and salbutamol inhalers. Patients also requested the dispensing of several months' supply of regular prescription medications. Customer aggression was observed by 53.6% of pharmacists, with 63% of pharmacists agreeing that hostile behaviour impeded their practice. Only 36.7% of pharmacists felt adequately prepared to cope with the challenges of COVID-19. Conclusion: Consumer stockpiling from pharmacies was observed throughout COVID-19. Stockpiling as well as aggressive and hostile behaviour from customers affected pharmacists, their staff, business and other pharmacy customers. Additional studies are needed to investigate the severity of these issues and to inform policy changes to help mitigate consumer stockpiling and prepare the pharmacy profession for future pandemics.
