Table 3

Prescriptions of biologicals by Rural, Remote, and Metropolitan Area (RRMA) classification system, based on DUSC data (Aug 2003–Jun 2005)

RRMA

Etanercept

Infliximab

Adalimumab

Biologicals Total

% of Total

Capital cities

18669

802

6396

25867

80.25

Other metropolitan centres^a

2124

52

826

3002

9.31

Large rural centres^b

1517

138

611

2266

7.03

Small rural centres^c

635

5

165

805

2.50

Other rural areas^d

44

0

17

61

0.2

Remote areas^e

22

0

13

35

0.11

Other remote areas^f

4

1

0

5

0.02

Unknown

164

1

28

193

0.6

a Other metropolitan centres: population > 100 000 [27]

b Large rural centres: population 25 000 to 99 999

c Small rural centres: population 10 000 to 24 999

d Other rural areas: population < 10 000

e Remote areas: population > 5000

f Other remote areas: <5000

Lu et al. Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2007 4:2   doi:10.1186/1743-8462-4-2