@article {OwBJGPO.2021.0222, author = {Nadya L Ow and Sara Sadek Attalla and Gwyneth Davies and Chris J Griffiths and Anna De Simoni}, title = {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}, volume = {6}, number = {4}, elocation-id = {BJGPO.2021.0222}, year = {2022}, doi = {10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0222}, publisher = {Royal College of General Practitioners}, abstract = {Background Inhaler shortages were reported in the UK following declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting advice against stockpiling.Aim To understand experiences and behaviours of patients with asthma requesting prescriptions from primary care during asthma medication shortages.Design \& setting UK asthma online community, between March and December 2020.Method Thematic analysis of posts identified using search terms {\textquoteleft}shortage{\textquoteright}, {\textquoteleft}out of stock{\textquoteright}, {\textquoteleft}prescribe{\textquoteright}, and {\textquoteleft}prescription{\textquoteright}.Results Sixty-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 Factors leading to increased requests included the following: stockpiling; early ordering; realising inhalers were out of date; and doctors prescribing multiple medication items.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{\textquoteright} 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 {\textquoteleft}emergency prescriptions{\textquoteright}; 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.Conclusion Better 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.}, URL = {https://bjgpopen.org/content/6/4/BJGPO.2021.0222}, eprint = {https://bjgpopen.org/content/6/4/BJGPO.2021.0222.full.pdf}, journal = {BJGP Open} }