title: Over-the-counter β2-agonist purchase versus script: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Purchase of short-acting β(2)-agonist (SABA), but not anti-inflammatory asthma medication, is permitted in Australia without a doctor's prescription. This has been associated with worse asthma outcomes. We sought to compare the asthma outcomes between those purchasing SABA with and without a doctor's prescription.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study, using stratified randomisation of pharmacies.
  
  
  METHODS
  43 pharmacies in Victoria, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Up to 10 consecutive adults purchasing β(2)-agonists were recruited from each pharmacy, with 316 adults in total.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants underwent spirometry and questionnaires on respiratory health, asthma control, Quality of Life and medication adherence. Asthma severity was determined by GINA medication step. Regression analyses were performed that allowed for clustering by pharmacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 316 individuals recruited (65% participation rate), 191 (60%) purchased a β(2)-agonist with a prescription. Purchase of SABA without prescription was not associated with worse asthma outcomes or lung function. Mean (±SD) asthma control score (ACQ) was 1.65 ± 1.03; only 63 (20%) had well-controlled asthma (ACQ < 0.75). Anti-inflammatory asthma medication was owned by 188 (60%) of participants, of whom 157 (83%) reported using this in the last 7 days. There was no correlation between medication adherence scores and asthma control. Forty-seven participants (15%) had an FEV(1) below 80% predicted and did not own an anti-inflammatory asthma medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Purchase of SABA without prescription was not associated with worse asthma outcomes in Australia. Although many patients reported symptoms of asthma, this did not appear to be associated with reported adherence to anti-inflammatory asthma medication.
authors: Department of Allergy, Immunology & Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital & Monash University, Commercial Rd., Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. j.douglass@alfred.org.au
authors: Jo A
authors: JA
authors: Douglass
authors: Dianne P
authors: DP
authors: Goeman
authors: Edwina A
authors: EA
authors: McCarthy
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Sawyer
authors: Rosalie A
authors: RA
authors: Aroni
authors: Kay
authors: K
authors: Stewart
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Abramson
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D055553:Prescription Drugs