Experiences and behaviours of patients with asthma requesting prescriptions from primary care during medication shortages linked to the COVID-19 lockdown: insights from a qualitative analysis of a UK asthma online community.
BJGP Open 2022;
6:BJGPO.2021.0222. [PMID:
35640963 PMCID:
PMC9904783 DOI:
10.3399/bjgpo.2021.0222]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Inhaler shortages were reported in the UK following declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting advice against stockpiling.
AIM
To understand experiences and behaviours of patients with asthma requesting prescriptions from primary care during asthma medication shortages.
DESIGN & SETTING
UK asthma online community, between March and December 2020.
METHOD
Thematic analysis of posts identified using search terms 'shortage', 'out of stock', 'prescribe', and 'prescription'.
RESULTS
Sixty-seven participants were identified (48 adults, two children, 17 unstated age). Factors leading to increased requests included the following: stockpiling; early ordering; realising inhalers were out of date; and doctors prescribing multiple medication items. Patients' anxieties that could lead to stockpiling included the following: fear of asthma attacks leading to admission and acquiring COVID-19 in hospital; lack of dose counters on some inhalers; and believing a lower amount of drug is delivered in the last actuations. Strategies adopted in relation to shortages or changes in treatment owing to out-of-stock medications included the following: starting stockpiling; ordering prescriptions early; contacting medical professionals for advice or alternative prescriptions; getting 'emergency prescriptions'; ordering online or privately; seeking medications in different pharmacies; contacting drug manufacturers; and keeping track of number of doses left in canisters. No evidence was found of anxiety-triggered asthma symptoms that required medications due to fear of COVID-19. Participants seemed to disregard advice against stockpiling.
CONCLUSION
Better preparation is a key lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians, the pharmaceutical industry, and policymakers should use insights from this work to plan how to better manage medication shortages in future emergency situations.
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