Association between availability of non-prescription β2 agonist inhalers and undertreatment of asthma

Abstract

Objective - To determine whether the availability of β2 agonist inhalers without prescription leads to undertreatment of asthma. Design - Cross sectional study of adequacy of treatment in asthmatic subjects who purchased β2 agonist inhalers and subjects who obtained inhalers by prescription. Setting - Community pharmacies in New South Wales, Australia. Subjects - 403 eligible consecutive asthmatic subjects aged 13 to 55 purchasing salbutamol metered dose inhalers over the counter or by prescription; 197 attended for follow up and spirometry and 139 returned 14 day symptom, peak flow, and medication diaries. Main outcome measures - Severity of asthma assessed on frequency of day time and nigh..