OBJECTIVE: To find whether in certain primary care teams an association exists between the level of coverage in determined services and expenditure on drugs for pathologies included in these services. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Primary care, INSALUD, Area 1, Huesca. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Using the data on coverage of the service portfolio in 1999 and pharmacy expenditure by therapeutic sub-groups during January-October of the same year, the following was analysed:- The service caring for chronic patients: Hypercholesterolaemia and comparison with expenditure in sub-group B04A (lipid-lowerers/ anti-atheroma drugs).- The service caring for chronic patients: Diabetes and comparison with expenditure in sub-groups A10A (insulin) and A10B (oral antidiabetic drugs). Expenditure was expressed as cost adjusted per 100 insured persons, using the INSALUD coefficients for the adjustment (active person coefficient: 0.732; pensioner coefficient: 0.268). The relationship between the two variables was represented graphically by a cloud of dots. Association between them was measured by Pearson's correlation coefficient. No statistically significant correlation was found between coverage and pharmacy expenditure in these sub-groups. Hypercholesterolaemia/lipid-lowerers: Pearson's coefficient = 0.334, 95% CI (-0.115 to 0.669). Diabetes/oral diabetic drugs and insulin: Pearson's coefficient < 0.1. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in coverage of the services analysed bear no direct relationship to pharmacy expenditure. The portfolio of services is not a good method of allocation of pharmaceutical resources.
OBJECTIVE: To find whether in certain primary care teams an association exists between the level of coverage in determined services and expenditure on drugs for pathologies included in these services. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Primary care, INSALUD, Area 1, Huesca. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Using the data on coverage of the service portfolio in 1999 and pharmacy expenditure by therapeutic sub-groups during January-October of the same year, the following was analysed:- The service caring for chronic patients: Hypercholesterolaemia and comparison with expenditure in sub-group B04A (lipid-lowerers/ anti-atheroma drugs).- The service caring for chronic patients: Diabetes and comparison with expenditure in sub-groups A10A (insulin) and A10B (oral antidiabetic drugs). Expenditure was expressed as cost adjusted per 100 insured persons, using the INSALUD coefficients for the adjustment (active person coefficient: 0.732; pensioner coefficient: 0.268). The relationship between the two variables was represented graphically by a cloud of dots. Association between them was measured by Pearson's correlation coefficient. No statistically significant correlation was found between coverage and pharmacy expenditure in these sub-groups. Hypercholesterolaemia/lipid-lowerers: Pearson's coefficient = 0.334, 95% CI (-0.115 to 0.669). Diabetes/oral diabetic drugs and insulin: Pearson's coefficient < 0.1. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in coverage of the services analysed bear no direct relationship to pharmacy expenditure. The portfolio of services is not a good method of allocation of pharmaceutical resources.
Authors: J C Abánades Herranz; V Cabedo García; R Cunillera Grañó; J J Garcia Díez; L Jolín Garijo; M Martín Bun; S Prados Torres; C Vicens Caldentey Journal: Aten Primaria Date: 1998-10-15 Impact factor: 1.137