Over-the-counter β2 -agonist purchase versus script: A cross-sectional study

Summary Background Purchase of short-acting β2 -agonist (SABA), but not anti-inflammatory asthma medication, is permitted in Australia without a doctor’s prescription. This has been associated with worse asthma outcomes. We sought to compare the asthma outcomes between those purchasing SABA with and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Respiratory medicine 2012-02, Vol.106 (2), p.223-229
Main Authors: Douglass, Jo A, Goeman, Dianne P, McCarthy, Edwina A, Sawyer, Susan M, Aroni, Rosalie A, Stewart, Kay, Abramson, Michael J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenergic beta-Agonists - therapeutic use
Aged
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use
Asthma - drug therapy
Asthma - epidemiology
Asthma - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Medication Adherence - statistics & numerical data
Middle Aged
Nonprescription Drugs
Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data
Pneumology
Prescription Drugs
Pulmonary/Respiratory
Severity of Illness Index
Surveys and Questionnaires
Treatment Outcome
Victoria - epidemiology
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Summary:Summary Background Purchase of short-acting β2 -agonist (SABA), but not anti-inflammatory asthma medication, is permitted in Australia without a doctor’s prescription. This has been associated with worse asthma outcomes. We sought to compare the asthma outcomes between those purchasing SABA with and without a doctor’s prescription. Methods Design: Cross-sectional study, using stratified randomisation of pharmacies. Setting: 43 pharmacies in Victoria, Australia. Participants Up to 10 consecutive adults purchasing β2 -agonists were recruited from each pharmacy, with 316 adults in total. Outcome measures Participants underwent spirometry and questionnaires on respiratory health, asthma control, Quality of Life and medication adherence. Asthma severity was determined by GINA medication step. Regression analyses were performed that allowed for clustering by pharmacy. Results Of 316 individuals recruited (65% participation rate), 191 (60%) purchased a β2 -agonist with a prescription. Purchase of SABA without prescription was not associated with worse asthma outcomes or lung function. Mean (±SD) asthma control score (ACQ) was 1.65 ± 1.03; only 63 (20%) had well-controlled asthma (ACQ 
ISSN:0954-6111
1532-3064
DOI:10.1016/j.rmed.2011.09.012