How does reimbursement status affect the smoking cessation interventions?
Citation
Karadogan, D., Önal, Ö., & Kanbay, Y. (2018). How does reimbursement status affect the smoking cessation interventions?.28th International Congress of the European-Respiratory-Society (ERS). European Respiratory Journal.52. Doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2018.PA122.Abstract
Background and aim: In our country in the last decade smoking cessation outpatient clinics (SCC) were extended countrywide. At first only counseling was under coverage of health insurances. Afterwards, in year 2011 and 2015 free varenicline and bupropion preparats were distributed to SCCs periodically. In that study we aimed to compare our free and not-free medication periods’ outcomes. Methods: Patients applied to SCC in a secondary health care unit between June 2014- June 2017 and evaluated available for SC interventions and had the record of phone visits at their third months were included to the study. Patients were grouped and evaluated according to SCMs’ reimbursement status; free medication period (FP), not-free medication period (NFP). Results: Totally 733 patients applied to SCC and 77.7% of them had applied at the FP. Mean age of the patients was 44.0±13.7, 65% of them were male. Demographic characteristics of patients in both groups were similar, while rate of patients who had comorbid diseases were lower in FP (p<0.05). Treatment choices were different, rate of patients that used adviced treatment at least 30 days (treatment adherent) and rate of quitters at third month were higher in FP (p<0.05). Bupropion prescribed group’s rate was similar, however varenicline was mostly prescribed in FP while NRT was mostly prescribed in NFP (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that free medication period increased not only the quit attemps but also the treatment adherence and quit success of the smokers. Therefore coverage of SCMs should be consistently and include all approved forms.
