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Related Experiment Videos

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

Jo A Douglass¹, Dianne P Goeman, Edwina A McCarthy

¹Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital & Monash University, Commercial Rd., Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. j.douglass@alfred.org.au

Respiratory Medicine

|November 2, 2011

Summary

Purchasing short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) without a prescription in Australia did not lead to worse asthma outcomes. Many patients reported asthma symptoms, but this was not linked to adherence with anti-inflammatory asthma medications.

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Area of Science:

Respiratory Medicine
Pharmacology
Public Health

Background:

In Australia, short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) are available without a prescription, unlike anti-inflammatory asthma medications.
Previous associations suggest that SABA-only purchasing may correlate with poorer asthma control.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare asthma outcomes between individuals purchasing SABAs with and without a doctor's prescription.
To investigate the relationship between SABA purchasing patterns and asthma control, lung function, and medication adherence.

Main Methods:

A cross-sectional study involving 316 adults recruited from 43 pharmacies in Victoria, Australia.
Participants completed spirometry and questionnaires assessing respiratory health, asthma control, quality of life, and medication adherence.
Regression analyses were conducted, accounting for pharmacy-based clustering.

Main Results:

Purchase of SABAs without a prescription was not linked to adverse asthma outcomes or reduced lung function.
Only 20% of participants achieved well-controlled asthma (Asthma Control Questionnaire score < 0.75).
A significant portion of participants (15%) had reduced lung function (FEV(1) < 80%) and did not possess anti-inflammatory medication.

Conclusions:

Acquiring SABAs without a prescription does not appear to negatively impact asthma outcomes in the Australian context.
Reported asthma symptoms did not correlate with adherence to prescribed anti-inflammatory asthma medications, indicating a potential gap in asthma management.