Mass media release of medical research results: an analysis of antihypertensive drug prescribing in the aftermath of the calcium channel blocker scare of March 1995.
BACKGROUND
Disclosure of medical research results to the public creates tension between lay medical reporters and the medical profession.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the early effect of media attention on the risks associated with short-acting calcium channel blockers (CCBs) for treating hypertension after publication at a national meeting and following publication.


METHODS
Time-series analysis of prescription claims data. SETTING AND DATA SOURCE: National third-party pharmaceutical benefits manager.


METHODS
Employed or retired persons and their families, 18 years of age or older, receiving prescription benefits from 1 of 4 national companies that contracted with the pharmaceutical benefits manager exclusively for prescription drug coverage.


METHODS
Prescription claims for antihypertensive drugs by fill date converted to a percentage of all cardiovascular drug claims. Data were grouped into weekly intervals before and immediately after the national release of negative information about CCBs on March 10, 1995 and following publication of the results on August 23, 1995.


RESULTS
The most prevalent antihypertensive drugs were diuretics (21% of cardiovascular prescription claims) and calcium channel blockers (19%). A 10% decline in prescriptions filled for CCBs occurred 4 weeks following the intense media attention. Only prescriptions for long-acting calcium channel blockers declined. Alpha-1-blocker prescriptions increased by approximately the same amount that prescriptions for CCBs declined, suggesting substitution of one drug for the other. Changes in diuretic or beta-blocker prescriptions filled were not statistically significant. No immediate change in other cardiovascular drug classes occurred following journal publication.


CONCLUSIONS
Intense media publicity regarding a controversial study measurably and unpredictably changed prescription claims.
Brunt
Margaret E
ME
Regenstrief Institute for Health Care, Indianapolis, Ind., USA.
Murray
Michael D
MD
Hui
Siu L
SL
Kesterson
Joseph
J
Perkins
Anthony J
AJ
Tierney
William M
WM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012106:Research; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics