As population demographics evolve, nurses are faced with
new challenges. Therefore, it is
important for the nurse to address
barriers that may influence access
to medications and, specifically,
over the counter (OTC) medications for immigrant and refugee
patients.
Both refugee and immigrant
populations are at a heightened
risk for experiencing health care
disparities compared to the average U.S. citizen (Footracer, 2009).
Many of these problems are associated with barriers such as language, access to care, fear, anxiety
and lack of knowledge about the
U.S. health care system (Agency
for Healthcare Research and
Quality, 2014). These barriers can
further interfere with immigrant
and refugee patients’ ability to
access medications and to follow
the prescribed medication regimen. Furthermore,