Changing profile in the use of anti-asthma drugs

Data regarding the total number of anti-asthma drugs dispensed via communit y pharmacies within Northern Ireland from 1980 to 1997 were collected and a nalysed. The use of anti-asthma drugs within this population increased mark edly over the study period from 19.84 DDDs/1000/day to 84.07 DDDs/1000/day. With the exception of the non-selective beta(2)-agonists, there has been a n overall increasing trend in the utilization of all of the anti-asthma dru gs during the study period. Most of the increase is attributable to the inc rease in prescribing of the selective beta(2)-agonists and the glucocortico ids, This increase in the utilization of anti-asthma drugs may be explained by an increasing prevalence of the condition, increased adherence to asthm a management protocols or to the prescribing of more intensive drug therapi es. During the study period, a wider range of anti-asthma drugs and drug delive ry devices have become available and hence have been prescribed. For exampl e, in 1980, beclomethasone was the only inhaled steroid available, whilst i n 1997, of all inhaled glucocorticoid products dispensed, 55.0% were beclom ethasone-containing products, with budesonide (40.1%) and fluticasone (4.9% ) products also being prescribed. With regard to drug delivery devices, the re has been a move towards the use of dry powder inhalers in recent years. Prescribing of generic salbutamol products has also increased. Copyright (C ) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.