Disparities Found in Prescription Drug Availability
A University of Michigan study finds racial disparities in the availability
of painkillers in Michigan. A previous study found similar disparities
among New York pharmacies, the New York Times reported May 11.
For the study, lead author Dr. Carmen Green and her research team
surveyed Michigan zip codes that were either more than 70 percent
white or more than 70 percent minority. The researchers contacted
a random selection of pharmacies in the white areas. All of the
pharmacies in the minority zip codes were contacted, since there
were so few of them.
The researchers inquired about the availability of 15 medications.
For the purposes of the study, a pharmacy was defined as having
an adequate supply if one drug in each of three general categories
was available.
The study found that 90 percent of pharmacies in white areas met
the criteria, compared with 51 percent of pharmacies in minority
areas of the state, such as Detroit.
Green found that the response most given for not carrying painkillers
was lack of demand, not fear of theft as expected. "That's
interesting," she said, "when you consider that pain is
the major reason patients consult doctors, and the No. 1 reason
for disability."
The study's findings were announced at a recent meeting of the
American Pain Society held in Vancouver, B.C.
|
