Trial reportBMJ open2021
Effect of free distribution of medicines on the process of care for adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and hypertension: post hoc analysis of randomised controlled trial findings.
Trial report in BMJ open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT02744963 (Carefully seLected and Easily Accessible at No Charge Medications), which is not on this map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Carefully seLected and Easily Accessible at No Charge Medications
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 4 citations in OpenAlex.
- Unlocking health equity by eliminating copayments for essential antihypertensive medications.EClinicalMedicine · 2025Review
- A Pilot Study of Hemoglobin A1C Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes after Creation of a Patient Assistance Program Enrollment Committee at a Student-Run Free Clinic.Innovations in pharmacy · 2024Article
- Barriers to the uptake of eye care services: A cross-sectional survey from rural and urban communities.PloS one · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesThe Carefully Selected and Easily Accessible at No charge Medicines randomised controlled trial showed that patients receiving free access to medicines had improved diabetes and hypertension outcomes compared with patients who had usual access to medicines. In this study, we aimed to test the impact of providing free access to medicine to people with diabetes and hypertension on process of care indicators.
designIn this post hoc analysis of randomised controlled trial findings, we identified process of care indicators for the management of diabetes and hypertension using relevant guidelines. The following process of care indicators were identified for diabetes management: encounters with healthcare professionals, blood pressure measurements, self-monitoring of blood glucose, annual eye and foot examination, annual administration of the influenza vaccine, and laboratory testing for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, serum creatinine and urine albumin to creatinine ratio. We identified the following process of care indicators for hypertension: encounters with healthcare professionals, blood pressure measurements, self-measuring of blood pressure, and serum tests for electrolytes, HbA1c, lipids and creatinine. Chart extractions were performed for all patients and the indicators for diabetes and hypertension were recorded. We compared the indicators for patients in each arm of the trial.
resultsThe study included 268 primary care patients. Free distribution of medicines may improve self-monitoring behaviours (adjusted rate ratio (aRR) 1.30; 95% CI 0.66 to 2.57) and reduce missed primary care appointments for patients with diabetes (aRR 0.80; 95% CI 0.48 to 1.33) or hypertension (aRR 0.41; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.90). Free distribution may also reduce primary care and consultant appointments and laboratory testing in patients with hypertension.
conclusionsImproving medicine accessibility for patients with diabetes and hypertension not only improves surrogate health outcomes but also improves the patient experience and may also reduce healthcare costs by encouraging self-monitoring. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The randomised controlled trial mentioned is clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02744963.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.