Magnitude of variation Interpretation In 2013–14, there were 2,508,346 PBS prescriptions Potential reasons for the variation include dispensed for anxiolytic medicines, representing differences in: 17,201 prescriptions per 100,000 people aged 18 the risk of anxiety and depression, is higher to 64 years (the Australian rate). in disadvantaged communities3 access to optimal alternate non-pharmacological The number of PBS prescriptions dispensed for treatment pathways3 anxiolytic medicines across 325* local areas (SA3s) prescribing practices, including short courses of ranged from 1,079 to 41,473 per 100,000 people treatment and planning to discontinue aged 18 to 64 years. The number of prescriptions medication, which can prevent long-term was 38.4 times higher in the area with the highest dependence rate compared to the area with the lowest rate. The average number of prescriptions dispensed private prescriptions, which are not included in varied across states and territories, from 6,930 per this data. 100,000 people aged 18 to 64 years in the Northern It is also important to note that the dispensing of Territory, to 25,802 in Tasmania. anxiolytic medicines in remote areas by some Aboriginal Health Services is not captured in the After excluding the highest and lowest results, the PBS. anxiolytic medicine prescription rate across the 302 remaining local areas was 4.8 times higher in To explore this variation, further analysis could one local area compared to another. focus on: the individual- and system-level factors that lead Dispensing tended to be slightly higher in inner to variation in the dispensing rates for anxiolytic and outer regional areas than in major cities and and antidepressant medicines among those were lowest in remote communities. aged 18 to 64 Dispensing were highest in areas with low the influence of access to mental health services socioeconomic status, and lower in areas with and variations in dispensing rates. higher socioeconomic status. *There are 333 SA3s. For this item, data were suppressed for 8 SA3s. This is because of confidentiality requirements given the small numbers of prescriptions dispensed in these areas.
Magnitude of variation In 2013–14, there were 2,508,346 PBS prescriptions dispensed for anxiolytic medicines, representing 17,201 prescriptions per 100,000 people aged 18 to 64 years (the Australian rate). The number of PBS prescriptions dispensed for anxiolytic medicines across 325* local areas (SA3s) ranged from 1,079 to 41,473 per 100,000 people aged 18 to 64 years. The number of prescriptions was 38.4 times higher in the area with the highest rate compared to the area with the lowest rate. The average number of prescriptions dispensed varied across states and territories, from 6,930 per 100,000 people aged 18 to 64 years in the Northern Territory, to 25,802 in Tasmania. After excluding the highest and lowest results, the anxiolytic medicine prescription rate across the 302 remaining local areas was 4.8 times higher in one local area compared to another. Dispensing tended to be slightly higher in inner and outer regional areas than in major cities and were lowest in remote communities. Dispensing were highest in areas with low socioeconomic status, and lower in areas with higher socioeconomic status. Interpretation Potential reasons for the variation include differences in: the risk of anxiety and depression, is higher in disadvantaged communities3 access to optimal alternate non-pharmacological treatment pathways3 prescribing practices, including short courses of treatment and planning to discontinue medication, which can prevent long-term dependence private prescriptions, which are not included in this data. It is also important to note that the dispensing of anxiolytic medicines in remote areas by some Aboriginal Health Services is not captured in the PBS. To explore this variation, further analysis could focus on: the individual- and system-level factors that lead to variation in the dispensing rates for anxiolytic and antidepressant medicines among those aged 18 to 64 the influence of access to mental health services and variations in dispensing rates. *There are 333 SA3s. For this item, data were suppressed for 8 SA3s. This is because of confidentiality requirements given the small numbers of prescriptions dispensed in these areas.
Chapter-4-30-Nov-2015-WORD-VERSION.docx