Inner-city availability of preservative-containing albuterol.
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) added to nebulized albuterol may induce bronchospasm. The objective of this study was to determine the availability of BAC-containing nebulized albuterol in the Bronx, New York pharmacies. A cross-sectional telephone survey of pharmacies was conducted. Overall, 158 (80%) pharmacies participated in the survey; 133 (84%) carried BAC-containing albuterol; 25 (16%) dispensed BAC-containing albuterol solution when presented with a prescription written for generic albuterol. Only 14 (9%) pharmacists had seen a prescription for nebulized albuterol where a physician specified "without BAC." Despite availability of BAC-free albuterol, pharmacies in the Bronx still carried and dispensed BAC-containing product.
Reznik
Marina
M
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
Sharif
Iman
I
Ozuah
Philip O
PO
D000420:Albuterol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009519:New York City; D010594:Pharmacies
D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000420:Albuterol