Barriers Associated with Access to Prescription Medications in Patients Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated at Federally Qualified Health Centers

Abstract

This study describes access to prescription medications and examines personal, financial, and structural barriers associated with access to prescription medications in patients with type 2 diabetes treated at Federally Qualified Health Centers. We used a cross-sectional design to analyze data retrieved from the 2014 Health Center Patient Survey. Adult participants who self-reported having type 2 diabetes were included in this study. Predictor variables were categorized into personal, financial, and structural barriers. Outcomes include being unable to get and delayed in getting prescription medications. Chi-square and multivariable regression models were conducted to examine associations between predictor and outcome variables. A total of 1097 participants with type 2 diabetes were included in analyses. Approximately 29% of participants were delayed, and 24% were unable to get medications. Multivariable regression results showed that personal barriers, such as federal poverty level, health status, and psychological distress were associated with being unable to get medications. Financial barriers including out-of-pocket medication cost and employment were associated with access to prescription medications. Type of health center funding program as a structural barrier was associated with access to medications. In conclusion, multi-level tailored strategies and policy changes are needed to address these barriers to improve access to prescription medications and health outcomes in underserved patient populations.

The landscape of male contraception

“…66 Once or if available, male hormone contraception would then have to surmount barriers of access such as family planning provider education, public education and awareness, distance to care, inadequate insurance and refilling regimens, amongst others. 67 The limits of access are critical to consider because although autonomy is basically a right to choose, it questions the virtue of such autonomy when choices are limited. This restricted access to various contraceptive methods may create an illusion of reproductive choice.…”

Medicine Use in Chronic Diseases

“…The authors were able to further refine and implement their culturally competent intervention based on feedback from these community stakeholders. Ali et al described the personal, financial, and structural barriers that either disable or delay individuals in accessing medicines for type 2 diabetes, especially those who visit the Federally Qualified Health Centers [ 8 ]. Based on their study, interventions that target personal barriers, such as poverty, health status, and psychological distress; financial barriers, such as out-of-pocket costs and employment; and structural barriers, such as health center funding programs for medicine access, should be targeted to achieve improved adherence to medicines.…”