Switch of Budesonide-formoterol Dry Powder Inhalers at Pharmacy in Norway

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a retrospective, multicentre, non-interventional, observational study in patients with asthma and/or COPD who are treated with budesonide-formoterol.

Detailed Description
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In July 2018 Norwegian authorities decided to allow switch at pharmacy for dry powder inhalers (DPIs) containing budesonide-formoterol. Pharmacists are instructed to switch patients to the inhaler with the lowest price. The pharmacist will train the patient on how to use the new inhaler. All patients whose eligible inhaler switch occurred between 1st July 2018 and 1st March 2019 will be eligible for the study.

Official Title
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Switch of Budesonide-formoterol Dry Powder Inhalers at Pharmacy in Norway; A Retrospective, Observational Study to Evaluate the Impact on Disease Control in Patients With Asthma and/or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Conditions
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Asthma, COPD

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Budesonide-Formoterol


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Written informed consent has been obtained. Male or female patients with a diagnosis of asthma and/or COPD whose budesonide-formoterol DPI was switched to another budesonide-formoterol DPI at pharmacy between 1st July 2018 and 1st March 2019 (referred to as the eligible switch). Age ≥12 years at time of switch. Treated with budesonide-formoterol for at least 12 months before the eligible switch (pre-switch period) and 12 months after the eligible switch (post-switch period). Re-switch(es) of inhaler are allowed during the post-switch period. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patient has declined participation in the study or failed to respond to the invitation to participate.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Drug: Budesonide-Formoterol|Dry powder inhaler|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Disease control | The number of asthma and/or COPD exacerbations during the 12 months pre-switch and the 12 months post-switch. | 24 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Budesonide-formoterol dose | The change in the treatment dose of budesonide-formoterol at the time of the eligible switch and at the end of the post-switch period (e.g. 12 months post-switch). | 24 months | 
| Training at pharmacy | The correlation between inhaler training given at pharmacy and exacerbations. | 24 months | 
| Healthcare utilisation | The number of asthma and/or COPD related hospitalisations, emergency room visits and visits to physicians 12 months pre-switch and 12 months post-switch. | 24 months | 
| Inhaler switch | The number of re-switches after the first 'eligible' switch and the reasons for that switch. | 24 months |