Prescribing issues for Aboriginal people

Abstract

boriginal people have higher rates of morbidity and mortality than other Australians and compare poorly to similar populations in other developed countries. In spite of this, access to medicines by Aboriginal people is poor, even for those living in urban areas. In remote areas there are different patterns of disease and bacterial infections are very common. The threshold for prescribing antibiotics is generally lower because Aboriginal patients are at higher risk of serious sequelae. Drug regimens should be simplified to increase the chance of successful treatment. Improving Aboriginal health will require reforms including improved access to and quality use of medicines, and legislative reform to support involvement of Aboriginal health workers in managing medicines.