ArticleBJGP open2022
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.
Article in BJGP open, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- University Students and the Stimulant Shortage: A Survey of Strategies to Obtain Medication, Consequences of Shortages, and Mental Health Correlates.The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine · 2026Article
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder medication shortage in the United States: a qualitative assessment of Reddit posts.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Article
- Experiences of Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Use of Reliever Inhalers in Patients With Asthma and Concurrent Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction or Breathing Pattern Disorder: Qualitative Analysis of a UK Asthma Online Community.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
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 Factors leading to increased requests included the following: stockpiling; early ordering; realising inhalers were out of date; and doctors prescribing multiple medication items.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.
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