[Observational study on drug spending in the immigrant and the indigenous population in the Lleida (Catalonia) health region].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether there are differences in drug spending between immigrant and Spanish-born populations and to assess whether drug consumption is associated with living environment (urban/rural).

DESIGN

Observational cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Lleida Health Region (LHR).

PARTICIPANTS

22,847 immigrants and 174,768 native born subjects, aged 15 to 64 years, residing in the LHR.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Drug spending during the year 2007, demographical variables, region of origin and residence area (urban/rural).

RESULTS

Native-born subjects spent more in all therapeutic drug groups than immigrants. In men, the relative risk ratio (RRR) of being in the highest quartile of expenditure was 3.2 (95% CI: 2.96-3.44) for native born versus immigrant and in women it was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.97-2.27). Immigrants from eastern Europe had the lowest risk of being in the highest quartile of expenditure, with statistically significant differences. Residents in the rural environment were more likely to have a higher pharmaceutical consumption than residents in the urban environment.

CONCLUSION

Inequalities in drug spending were observed between immigrants and native born subjects. Further studies, either qualitative or mixed, should explore which factors are related to these differences and propose strategies addressed to reducing them.