Pharmacy Continence Care - Bladder and Bowel Website

In the follow-up survey, there was a significant increase in the proportion of consumers
using sanitary disposable pads (up 29 points to 57 per cent), while those using incontinence
disposable pads dropped 21 points to 60 per cent, those using special undergarments
dropped 17 points to 20 per cent and those using drainage products dropped 11 points to
three per cent. Usage of skincare products remained stable at 27 per cent.
The results across both surveys indicate that continence care products such as incontinence
disposable pads, special undergarments, skin care products and drainage products
purchased by pharmacy customers were most commonly purchased from a chemist or
pharmacy. Those purchasing sanitary disposable pads most commonly reported buying these
from a chemist or pharmacy in the baseline survey, however there was a significant increase
in the proportion of those purchasing from a supermarket in the follow-up survey (from 18
per cent to 69 per cent).
Expenditure on incontinence care products
Baseline and follow-up survey results indicated that expenditure on non-drug incontinencerelated
products (such as disposable pads, special undergarments, drainage products etc.) is
most commonly under $10 per week (45 per cent vs. 40 per cent) or between $10-$25 per
week (29 per cent vs. 43 per cent). Only a small minority spent in excess of $26 (7 per cent
in baseline survey).
Around three quarters (74 per cent) of respondents in the baseline survey reported a nil
expenditure on skin care products, compared with 63 per cent in the follow-up survey. Of
those spending on skincare products, the majority spent under $10 per week (23 per cent
vs. 27 per cent), while a minority spent between $10 to $25 per week (2 per cent vs. 7 per
cent).
Around one quarter (24 per cent) of female respondents in the baseline survey reported a nil
expenditure on women’s sanitary products to help with incontinence, compared with half (50
per cent) in the follow-up survey. Of those spending on women’s sanitary products, the
majority spent under $10 per week (37 per cent or 25 per cent) or between $10-$25 per
week (26 per cent vs. 21 per cent). Only a minority spent more than $26 per week on
women’s sanitary products (11 per cent vs. 4 per cent).
Changes in expenditure
In the follow-up survey, just under half (47 per cent) of respondents reported a change in
continence care product expenditure compared with what they previously spent, with 30 per
cent now spending more and 17 per cent spending less. The main reasons identified in the
follow-up survey by respondents include the following:
• spending more because:
o using more pads/have to wear more (mentioned by five respondents)
o price has gone up (mentioned by two respondents)
o forget to change/urinate when sleeping (mentioned by two respondents).
• spending less because:
o no need to buy – supplied/had operation/begun toilet program (mentioned by three
respondents)
o no longer caring for the person (mentioned by two respondents).
Final Report
42
NOVA Public Policy
Pharmacy Continence Care Project