Changes in prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids (1999-2002) in Scotland.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the trend in prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids and general practitioner (GP) consultations for respiratory diseases.


METHODS
A longitudinal observation study of all prescriptions, from primary care, for inhaled corticosteroids dispensed in Scotland from January 1999 to May 2002 was undertaken. The main outcome measures were the trends in prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids and GP consultations for respiratory diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
The prescribing of all inhaled corticosteroids has risen over the study period. The rise in prescribing of the combination product containing fluticasone and salmeterol appears not to have been at the expense of the prescribing of fluticasone alone while the prescribing of the budesonide/eformoterol combination may be at the expense of budesonide (BUD) alone. GP consultations for both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have declined over a similar period. The increased prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids over this period is associated with the increased use of the fluticasone/salmeterol combination rather than an increase in the use of all inhaled corticosteroids. The accompanying fall in number of consultations with GPs may be due to this increased prescribing or a move to nurse led clinics.
Boyter
Anne C
AC
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, John Arbuthnott Building, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. anne.boyter@strath.ac.uk
Steinke
Douglas T
DT
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D017891:Pharmacoepidemiology / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy; D012606:Scotland; D013997:Time Factors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D019819:Budesonide; D001507:Beclomethasone; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate