Policy designed to guarantee Australian indigenous people Equity Pharmaceuticals are uniformly approached nationwide. Our research show.
We have mapped a place where the Australian Native people use the program to access free or discounted medicines according to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). We were uneven and depended on where you live.
This is especially associated with many Aboriginal Australians in this area. High rates Programs of chronic conditions do not use the program.
The following is what we can explain and what will happen next.
What is the ‘closed gap’ script?
In 2010, the Australian government introduced it. GAP PBS Joint Project Closed (CTG scripts are colloquially known).
This program continues today and means Australian natives.
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Otherwise, those who pay $ 31.60 for the script will instead pay the concession fee ($ 7.70).
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Otherwise, anyone who will pay for the concession fee ($ 7.70) will receive the script for free.
The program aimed at people with chronic diseases at first. But the program was made change To increase accessibility in 2021.
Australian indigenous people can now be qualified regardless of age, chronic disease and the location of the provider. Change now means that all PBS prescriptions, indigenous and tores strait islander Health Practitioners can register patients. Registration is now one -time and lasts for the patient’s life.
Initial research shows how this program is reduced. inequality You can access health care. After it was introduced, Australian Aboriginal I used more I visited prescription drugs and chronic disease services and more GPs.
Other studies are also in the area with higher absorption of the program. less Hospitalization of chronic diseases.
But absorption is uneven
Despite these benefits research The absorption of indications vary greatly depending on where the Australian natives live.
We used census connection data to estimate the regional differences of indigenous patients who received CTG scripts between 2011 and 2020.
In northern Australia, less than 30% of the indigenous population received CTG scripts. In Tasmania, it was about 30-40%. Ten years have passed since the policy was introduced.
The intake of other states, such as Victoria and New South Wales, was quite diverse, ranging from 15%to 87%.
Why is the regional difference?
There seems to be a multi -and -potential interaction factor that affects the absorption of the system.
1. In some areas, the percentage of chronic conditions is high.
Some rural and secluded areas (especially NSW, Namho and Victoria) can explain higher absorption. Higher rates Chronic diseases of indigenous population. People with chronic diseases are likely to need continuous scripts.
But we do not see this pattern in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Australian capital territory, Queensland and Tasmania. High rates Chronic conditions.
2. People may already be accessing other medical subsidies.
In extensively, the Aboriginal population in the remote area is unlikely to access CTG scripts. Because they can receive free prescription drugs. Remote area Aboriginal Health Service Program. Therefore, many indigenous Australians in this area may have little advantage in registering CTG script.
But this is not the case of Tasmania and Victoria. Small access In this alternative program.
The absorption rate of CTG scripts in Tasmania was the lowest in this country. However, the indigenous population of this area The highest rate of chronic conditions In the country. Therefore, other factors must work.
3. Red tape, not all health services
We must also see what’s happening in primary health care. Not all Aboriginal patients are accurately confirmed. The patient is poor in treatment and does not talk about health services No one asks. Small practice Less administrative support And there were people in a farther area There is less likely to participate In the program.
By 2021, if the access to the program is widened, there are few providers who can register indigenous patients to receive CTG scripts. This can also have Access to affect.
So this is Red tape And overall program complexity seems to have prevented indigenous people from accessing the program.
How can you improve accessibility?
1. Support Aboriginal patients to feel safe
Many researchers and community leaders have written about the need to provide culturally safe health care. Deliver Safe, accessible, and good health care without racism.
offer Cultural and safe treatment The likelihood of identifying indigenous people can be higher. this Helps customized managementTherefore, patients can access related and appropriate health services such as CTG scripts to improve their health.
2. Participation in the community
The regional change of CTG absorption suggests the level of community. Solution I need it. Policy dramators can consider additional targeting of resources, depending on the location and community factors. This provides these initiatives through Aboriginal health services Aboriginal health personnel. We know that these community programs have Improved pharmaceutical access and Continuity.
3. We need a data strategy
Since 2020, there is a minimum analysis of CTG absorption and influence. But this is not the only data gap and not all data on the use of the Australian Aboriginal drugs.
For example, the Australian Health and Welfare Research Institute no longer reports the data of the people of Aboriginal people. Using PBS pharmaceuticals; Still there There is no national system To capture the use of remote medicines; Minimum indigenous data is reported about relevance Community Pharmacy ProgramSpecify some names.
As summarized National Convention on the closure of the gapIndigenous Australians are the main stakeholders of the data discussed here. This means that Australian natives must “own” data and control how to collect and use. All programs or policies related to the data must be jointly designed with the Australian indigenous people.
These principles are basic to ensure additional assessments such as CTG scripts and continuous programs. It is fair and effective for Australian Aboriginal people.
In this article, I used the term Australian Aboriginal people. We politely recognize the diversity of indigenous and Torres Strait Islands. The authors want to recognize the land of Kabi, Wurundjeri and Pala and people. We recognize the traditional owners of this land, which we edited this article, and pay respect for the past, present and emerging elders.
