Data regarding the total number of anti-asthma drugs dispensed via community pharmacies within Northern Ireland from 1980 to 1997 were collected and analysed. The use of anti-asthma drugs within this population increased markedly over the study period from 19.84 DDDs/1000/day to 84.07 DDDs/ 1000/day. With the exception of the non-selective b-agonists, there has been an overall increasing trend in the utilization of all of the anti-asthma drugs during the study period. Most of the increase is attributable to the increase in prescribing of the selective b 2 -agonists and the glucocorticoids. This increase in the utilization of anti-asthma drugs may be explained by an increasing prevalence of the condition, increased adherence to asthma management protocols or to the prescribing of more intensive drug therapies.
During the study period, a wider range of anti-asthma drugs and drug delivery devices have become available and hence have been prescribed. For example, in 1980, beclomethasone was the only inhaled steroid available, whilst in 1997, of all inhaled glucocorticoid products dispensed, 55.0% were beclomethasone-containing products, with budesonide (40.1%) and Β―uticasone (4.9%) products also being prescribed. With regard to drug delivery devices, there has been a move towards the use of dry powder inhalers in recent years. Prescribing of generic salbutamol products has also increased.