Equity in the Receipt of Oseltamivir in the United States During the H1N1 Pandemic.

• Autores: Jessica M. Franklin, Niteesh K. Choudhry, Lori Uscher Pines, Gregory Brill, Olga S. Matlin, Michael A. Fischer, Sebastian Schneeweiss, Jerry Avorn, Troyen A. Brennan, William H. Shrank
• Localización: American journal of public health, ISSN 0090-0036, Vol. 104, Nº. 6, 2014, págs. 1052-1058
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Objectives. We assessed the relationship between individual characteristics and receipt of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in the United States during the HI NI pandemic and other flu seasons. Methods. In a cohort of individuals enrolled in pharmacy benefit plans, we used a multivariate logistic regression model to measure associations between subscriber characteristics and filling a prescription for oseltamivir during 3 flu seasons (October 2006-May 2007, October 2007-May 2008, and October 2008- May 2010), In 19 states with county-level influenza rates reported, we controlled for disease burden. Results. Approximately 56 million subscribers throughout the United States were included in 1 or more study periods. During pandemic flu, beneficiaries in the highest income category had 97% greater odds of receiving oseltamivir than those in the lowest category (P<.001). After we controlled for disease burden, subscribers in the 2 highest income categories had 2.18 and 1.72 times the odds of receiving oseltamivir compared with those in the lowest category (P< .001 for both). Conclusions. Income was a stronger predictor of oseltamivir receipt than prevalence of influenza. These findings corroborate concerns about equity of treatment in pandemics, and they call for improved approaches to distributing potentially life-saving treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]