title: Evaluation of racial and socioeconomic disparities in medication pricing and pharmacy access and services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Results of a study to determine if disparities in drug pricing, pharmacy services, and community pharmacy access exist in a Tennessee county with a predominantly minority population are reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacies in Shelby County, a jurisdiction with a total population more than 60% composed of racial and ethnic minority groups, was conducted. Data collection included "out-of-pocket" (i.e., cash purchase) prices for generic levothyroxine, methylphenidate, and hydrocodone-acetaminophen; pharmacy hours of operation; availability of selected pharmacy services; and ZIP code-level data on demographics and crime risk. Analysis of variance, chi-square testing, correlational analysis, and data mapping were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey data were obtained from 90 pharmacies in 25 of the county's 33 residential ZIP code areas. Areas with fewer pharmacies per 10,000 residents tended to have a higher percentage of minority residents (p= 0.031). Methylphenidate pricing was typically lower in areas with lower employment rates (p= 0.027). Availability of home medication delivery service correlated with income level (p =0.015), employment rate (p= 0.022), and crime risk (p= 0.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A survey of community pharmacies in Shelby County, Tennessee, found that areas with a high percentage of minority residents had lower pharmacy density than areas with a high percentage of white residents. Pharmacies located in communities with low average income levels, low employment rates, and high scores for personal crime risk were less likely to offer home medication delivery services.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, Memphis, Knoxville, and Nashville, TN. mchisho3@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Marie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chisholm-Burns
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Christina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Spivey
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, Nashville, TN.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gatwood
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, Nashville, TN.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiss
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, Nashville, TN.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hohmeier
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000191:economics; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000191:economics; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone / Q000191:economics; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000191:economics; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013714:Tennessee; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D016568:Drugs, Generic; C083640:acetaminophen, hydrocodone drug combination; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000082:Acetaminophen; D006853:Hydrocodone; D013974:Thyroxine
keywords: community pharmacy; healthcare access; medication costs; pharmacy services; racial disparities; socioeconomic disparities