Journal article
The use of non-prescription salbutamol inhalers by asthmatic patients in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales
DA Henry, D Sutherland, L Francis, J Buxton, R Fennell, M Chapman, H Harvey, V Caroll, D Cruickshank, J Dickson, C Fell, K Hincks, R Godhard, J Savage, R Webb, P Gray
Medical Journal of Australia | AUSTRALASIAN MED PUBL CO LTD | Published : 1989
Abstract
Because of concern over the unsupervised use of bronchodilator aerosols, we studied the characteristics of a group of asthmatic subjects who purchased their salbutamol inhalers and a group of asthmatic subjects who obtained their inhalers by prescription. Community pharmacists distributed 360 questionnaires to consecutive patients who requested salbutamol inhalers; 320 questionnaires were returned (response rate, 89%). Of these, 240 respondents described themselves as asthmatic and stated that they obtained their inhalers exclusively or predominantly by either purchase (120 subjects) or prescription (120 subjects). Purchasers were younger than were users of prescribed inhalers and were more ..
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