DIFFERENCES IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG UTILIZATION AND EXPENDITURES BETWEENBLACKS AND WHITES IN THE GEORGIA MEDICAID POPULATION

To address policy concerns regarding prescription drug access by vulne rable minority groups, we analyzed prescription drug use and spending among black and white enrollees in the Georgia Medicaid program. Using a two-year model estimating use and level of use of any prescription drugs, the study examined black/white differences controlling for age, sex, and Medicaid eligibility characteristics. Results showed black e nrollees were significantly less likely to use any prescription drugs and received significantly fewer prescriptions than white enrollees. A fter adjustment, the black/white difference for children was 43%, with black children using 2.7 fewer prescriptions relative to white childr en. Patterns of use were similar for adults and the elderly, with blac k adults using 4.9 fewer prescriptions, and black elders using 6.3 few er prescriptions, than their white peers. Spending rates per full-year enrollee were similar to utilization patterns and maintained the blac k/white differential. White Medicaid enrollees had higher use and spen ding than black enrollees across most high-volume therapeutic drug cat egories. The study explores several possible explanations for these di fferences.