Abstract
Introduction:
Generic prescribing is officially encouraged in the UK.1 Concerns have been raised that there is a potential for patients to be dispensed an unfamiliar device in which they have received no training,2 risking poor technique, inadequate dosing and loss of asthma control.
Methods:
An independent market research agency has been commissioned to conduct telephone-based interviews with a random sample of 100 general practitioners, 100 practice asthma nurses and 100 pharmacists to determine their attitudes to generic prescribing and their experience of potential problems.
Pilot study results:
Pilot results from 30 GPs, 30 nurses and 30 pharmacists indicate that 69% of GP and nurse respondents prescribe breath actuated and dry powder inhalers generically. 56% of GPs stated they felt under pressure to prescribe generically, although 87% were concerned that this may lead to problems for the patient. 46% of respondents were aware of actual incidents in which patients have received an unfamiliar inhaler. Examples of problems experienced included patient confusion, ineffective inhaler technique risking loss of asthma control, and having to re-issue prescriptions for patients in order to ensure they received the intended inhaler.
Results:
The results of the full study will be presented. Interviews with GPs and nurses will provide information about attitudes to policies for generic prescribing, awareness of the consequences of generic prescribing of inhalers and specific examples of problems which have arisen. Interviews with community pharmacists will provide data about dispensing policies and their perception of any problems presented by generic prescribing.
Conclusion:
There are concerns that generic prescribing may compromise patient care if unfamiliar inhalers are dispensed. This study will provide an insight into the experience of healthcare professionals and provide data about actual problems that have arisen.
Funding:
The research project is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Chiesi, Ivax and Celltech.
Keywords: asthma, generic prescribing, inhalers, dispensing policies, patient care, poor inhaler technique, inadequate dosing
Full Text
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