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

Journal article

BackgroundInhaler shortages were reported in the UK following declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting advice against stockpiling.AimTo understand experiences and behaviours of patients with asthma requesting prescriptions from primary care during asthma medication shortages.Design & settingUK asthma online community, between March and December 2020.MethodThematic analysis of posts identified using search terms ‘shortage’, ‘out of stock’, ‘prescribe’, and ‘prescription’.ResultsSixty-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 Factors leading to increased requests included the following: stockpiling; early ordering; realising inhalers were out of date; and doctors prescribing multiple medication items.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.ConclusionBetter 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.

Authors: Ow, NL; Sadek Attalla, S; Davies, G; Griffiths, CJ; De Simoni, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners
• Journal: British Journal of General Practice Open
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 4
• Pages: BJGPO.2021.0222-BJGPO.2021.0222
• Publication date: 2022-05-30
• DOI: 10.3399/bjgpo.2021.0222
• EISSN: 2398-3795
• ISSN: 2398-3795
• Language: English
• Keywords: Infectious disease (medical specialty); Psychiatry; Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Medical emergency; Pandemic; Disease; Medicine; Medical prescription; Family medicine; Nursing; Thematic analysis; Economic shortage; Pharmacy; Anxiety; Qualitative research; Asthma