E-DRUG: Migrant health in New Zealand: medicines access and use
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Research Paper
Migrant health in New Zealand: exploring issues concerning medicines access and use
Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar*, Kelly Pengelly, Shane L. Scahill, Sanjay Garg, John Shaw
Article first published online: 7 NOV 2012, Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-8893.2012.00105.x
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1759-8893.2012.00105.x/abstract
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Abstract
Objectives
Every year a cohort of new migrants enters New Zealand (NZ), bringing challenges that impact on medicines use and health outcomes. The prescribing of medicines is a common therapeutic intervention and access to medicines and optimal use cannot be assumed for these populations. Internationally the literature exploring issues relating to medicines access and use by migrants in high-income countries is scarce. This study aims to explore attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of a cohort of migrants about medicines access and use in NZ.
Methods
A qualitative research methodology was employed with participants being recruited through snowballing techniques and interviewed (seven Indian and four Chinese). Following consent, a semi-structured guide was used for discussions. Themes were developed from codes based on the guide. These themes were developed by two members of the research team and reviewed by a third member.
Results
Emergent themes reflected the following dialogue: (a) financial barriers: paying doctor and pharmacist, lack of affordability of over-the-counter medicines, sharing medicines with family and friends; (b) information transfer and knowledge of rules, systems and initiatives, particularly regarding subsidies and brand switching; (c) misconceptions due to culture and language barriers, including not understanding information and lack of compliance in symptom-free disease; (d) perceptions of high quality in prescription medicines; (e) non-disclosure of traditional medicine use and (f) variability of community pharmacy service provision, especially counselling.
Conclusions
Significant barriers to access and optimal use of medicines by new migrants in NZ were identified. Policy change and educational interventions are likely to be required to improve medicines-related health care to migrant New Zealanders. Future research will need to quantify the extent of the issues and interventions should be developed and evaluated as ongoing research.
Kind Regards
Zaheer
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Dr Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar, PhD
Senior Lecturer & Head of Pharmacy Practice
School of Pharmacy
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
University of Auckland, Private Mail Bag 92019, Auckland
New Zealand
Ph: +64 9 373 7599 Ext 88436
Fax: +64 9 367 7192
www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/sop/smr