TY - JOUR
T1 - Asthma medications should be available for over-the-counter use
T2 - Pro
AU - Gerald, Joe K.
AU - Wechsler, Michael E.
AU - Martinez, Fernando D.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2014 by the American Thoracic Society
PY - 2014/7/1
Y1 - 2014/7/1
N2 - Medications that provide quick relief of symptoms and that control airway inflammation are the mainstays of asthma treatment. However, adherence to these medications is suboptimal. The inconvenien ce and costs associated with obtaining theseprescription-only medications are factors that contribute to poor adherence. The Food and Drug Administration recently requested public comment on a new paradigm whereby specific prescriptiononly medications could be made available over the counter, provided that conditions for their safe use could be established. Many organizations expressed opposition, including the American Thoracic Society and other societies representing patients with respiratory diseases. These organizations cited unsubstantiated bene fi ts and unnecessary risks as reasons to oppose greater over-the-counter availability of current prescription-only medications. This article examines the rationale for, and potential ramifications of, making asthma medications available for nonprescription use.
AB - Medications that provide quick relief of symptoms and that control airway inflammation are the mainstays of asthma treatment. However, adherence to these medications is suboptimal. The inconvenien ce and costs associated with obtaining theseprescription-only medications are factors that contribute to poor adherence. The Food and Drug Administration recently requested public comment on a new paradigm whereby specific prescriptiononly medications could be made available over the counter, provided that conditions for their safe use could be established. Many organizations expressed opposition, including the American Thoracic Society and other societies representing patients with respiratory diseases. These organizations cited unsubstantiated bene fi ts and unnecessary risks as reasons to oppose greater over-the-counter availability of current prescription-only medications. This article examines the rationale for, and potential ramifications of, making asthma medications available for nonprescription use.
KW - Asthma
KW - Health policy
KW - Medication adherence
KW - Over-the-counter medications
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84911913442&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84911913442&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201404-139OI
DO - 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201404-139OI
M3 - Article
C2 - 24964175
AN - SCOPUS:84911913442
SN - 2329-6933
VL - 11
SP - 975
EP - 979
JO - Annals of the American Thoracic Society
JF - Annals of the American Thoracic Society
IS - 6
ER -