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Exploring The Association Between Stroke And Acute Myocardial Infarction And Statins Adherence Following A Medicines Co-Payment Increase, Karla L. Seaman, Max K. Bulsara, Frank M. Sanfilippo, Anna Kemp-Casey, Elizabeth E. Roughead, Caroline Bulsara, Gerald F. Watts, David B. Preen

IHR Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: Patient contributions (co-payments) for one months’ supply of a publicly-subsidised medicine in Australia were increased by 21% in January 2005 (US$2.73-$3.31 for social security recipients and $17.05- $20.58 for others). This study investigates the relationship between patients’ use of statin medication and hospitalisation for acute coronary syndrome and stroke, following this large increase in co-payments.

Methods: We designed a retrospective cohort study of all patients in Western Australia who were dispensed statin medication between 2004 and 05. Data for the cohort was obtained from State and Federal linked databases. We divided the cohort into those who discontinued, reduced or …