Impact of removing prescription charges on health outcomes: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Prescription charges prevent many people from accessing the medicines they need to maintain or improve their health. In New Zealand, where most people pay $5 per prescription item, Māori and Pacific peoples, those living in most deprived areas and those with chronic health conditions are the most likely to report that cost prevents them from accessing medicines.

Methods and analysis

This randomised controlled trial (RCT) will evaluate the effect of removing prescription charges on health outcomes and healthcare utilisation patterns of people with low income and high health needs. We will enrol 2000 participants: half will be allocated to the intervention group and we will pay for their prescription charges for 12 months. The other half will receive usual care. T

SUBMITTER: Cousins K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8728355 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature