Disparities in access to over-the-counter nicotine replacement products in New York City pharmacies.
OBJECTIVE
We surveyed the availability of tobacco products and nonprescription nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in pharmacies in New York City, stratified by the race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) of the surrounding neighborhoods to determine whether disparities in availability existed.


METHODS
Surveyors visited a random sample of retail pharmacies to record the availability of tobacco products and nonprescription NRT. We used census data and geographic information systems analysis to determine the SES of each neighborhood. We used logistic modeling to explore relations between SES and the availability of NRT and tobacco products.


RESULTS
Of 646 pharmacies sampled, 90.8% sold NRT and 46.9% sold cigarettes. NRT and cigarettes were slightly more available in pharmacies in neighborhoods with a higher SES. NRT was more expensive in poorer neighborhoods.


CONCLUSIONS
Small disparities existed in access to nonprescription NRT and cigarettes. The model did not adequately account for cigarette access, because of availability from other retail outlets. These results may explain some of the excess prevalence of cigarette use in low-SES areas.
Bernstein
Steven L
SL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. steven.bernstein@yale.edu
Cabral
Lisa
L
Maantay
Juliana
J
Peprah
Dorothy
D
Lounsbury
David
D
Maroko
Andrew
A
Murphy
Mary
M
Shelley
Donna
D
D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009519:New York City; D009538:Nicotine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009538:Nicotine