Deadly developments: smoking cessation medicines accessed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, 2006–2019
Daniel Odo, Christina Heris, Raymond Lovett, Lisa Whop, Nicola Ball, Joanne Thandrayen, Michelle Kennedy, Raglan MaddoxObjectives and importance of the study
The aims of this study were to examine trends in the annual rate of smoking cessation medicines (SCMs) supplied to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who smoke using dispensings by Services Australia from 2006 to 2019, and to assess whether the provision of SCMs varies between regions supported by a Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program and those without TIS funding.
Study type
Cross-sectional study; analysis of administrative data.
Methods
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Section 100 Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services (RAAHS) claims data for SCMs supplied to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were analysed. Annual rates of claims per 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons who smoke were calculated. The change in rate of dispensing between 2006 and 2019 was assessed using linear regression, and the patterns in the number of dispensings in TIS and non-TIS areas were described over time.
Results
From 2006 to 2019, 470,408 and 7413 SCMs were dispensed under the PBS and under the RAAHS program, respectively. Overall, the rate of dispensings per 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons who smoke increased from 1.24 in 2006 to 18.08 in 2019 for PBS (P < 0.001), and from 0.30 in 2006 to 1.70 in 2019 for RAAHS (P < 0.001). From PBS data, the Australian Capital Territory dispensed SCMs at the highest rate (1.50 in 2006 to 27.38 in 2019), and the Northern Territory the lowest (0.23 in 2006 to 3.41 in 2019). Overall, a greater number of dispensings were observed in TIS-funded areas, with 83% of PBS dispensings occurring in these areas. However, rates could not be calculated for TIS and non-TIS comparisons due to limited denominator data.
Conclusions
Uptake of SCM by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who smoke increased significantly between 2006 and 2019 (1.24–18.08 for PBS and from 0.30 to 1.70 for RAAHS per 100 people), with a greater number of dispensings observed in areas serviced by a TIS team. Access to medicines to support quitting attempts is an important component of comprehensive tobacco control and may assist people to successfully quit.