Considerations of prescribers and pharmacists for the use of non-selective β-blockers in asthma and COPD patients: An explorative study.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Despite recommendations in prevailing guidelines to avoid the use of non-selective (NS) β-blockers in patients with asthma or COPD, on average, 10 patients per community pharmacy receive NS β-blockers monthly. The aim of our study was to identify the reasons of prescribers and pharmacists to treat asthma and COPD patients with NS β-blockers.

Methods

Fifty-three community pharmacists in the Netherlands selected patients with actual concurrent use of inhalation medication and NS β-blockers. For at least 5 patients, each pharmacist screened all medication surveillance signals and actions taken at first dispensing. Each pharmacist selected 3 different initial prescribers for a short interview to explore their awareness of the co-morbidity and reas

SUBMITTER: Kuipers E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5901013 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature