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Real world initiation of newly funded empagliflozin and dulaglutide under special authority for patients with type 2 diabetes in New Zealand

Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is sub-optimally managed for many in Aotearoa New Zealand, and disproportionately affects Māori and Pacific peoples. In February 2021, SGLT2i/GLP1RA agents were funded for use for the first time with prioritisation for Māori, Pacific and those with cardiovascular and/or renal disease or risk (CVRD). This study evaluates the impact of health system factors on initiation of SGLT2i/GLP1RA therapy. Methods: Primary care data was collected for patients with T2D aged 18–75 years from four primary care organisations (302 general practices) in the Auckland / Waikato region of New Zealand (Feb 2021 – July 2022). Initiation of SGLT2i/GLP1RA therapy was reviewed by patient (age, gender, ethnicity, CVRD status) and health system variables (funding, provider type, staffing, patient numbers, rurality, after-hours access). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of a patient being dispensed SGLT2i/GLP1RA. Results: Of 57,743 patients with T2D, 22,331 were eligible for funded SGLT2i/GLP1RA access and 10,272 of those (46.0%) were prescribed. Initiation of therapy was highest in Māori (50.8%) and Pacific (48.8%) patients (vs. 36·2–40·7% of other ethnic groups; P < 0.001), but was comparable in those with and without CVRD (47·1% vs. 48·9%; P = 0.2). Prescribing was highest in practices with higher doctor/patient numbers, low-cost fees, Māori health providers and clinics without after-hours access. Conclusion: Prioritised access for SGLT2i/GLP1RA appears to be associated with a reduced health equity gap for Māori and Pacific patients with T2D in NZ, but work is required to improve prescribing for patients with CVRD.
Type
Journal Article
Type of thesis
Series
Citation
Chepulis, L., Rodrigues, M., Gan, H., Keenan, R., Kenealy, T., Murphy, R., Karu, L. T., Scott-Jones, J., Clark, P., Moffitt, A., Mustafa, S., Lawrenson, R., & Paul, R. (2025). Real world initiation of newly funded empagliflozin and dulaglutide under special authority for patients with type 2 diabetes in New Zealand. BMC Health Services Research, 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12601-3
Date
2025
Publisher
BMC
Degree
Supervisors
Rights
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International