RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Co-dispensing of inhaled corticosteroids and antibiotics JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P741 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Helen Reddel A1 Leanne Poulos A1 Rosario Ampon A1 Guy Marks YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P741.abstract AB Background: Regular use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is recommended for management of asthma and moderate/severe COPD. However, in Australia, most people who receive any ICS-containing medication have it dispensed only once in a year. We tested the hypothesis that ICS are commonly prescribed for respiratory infections in patients without chronic airways disease.Methods: Data for concessional patients dispensed any respiratory medications during 2008 were obtained from the national Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Individuals dispensed ICS only once in a year, and no other respiratory medications (defined as "one-off ICS"), were assumed to be unlikely to have asthma or COPD, and co-dispensing with oral antibiotics suggested the ICS were prescribed for symptoms of a respiratory infection. We calculated the proportion of people prescribed one-off ICS who were co-dispensed oral antibiotics.Results: In 2008, 43.6% of the 115,763 patients who were dispensed one-off ICS were co-dispensed oral antibiotics. Co-dispensing was seasonal, peaking in winter. In adults, the co-dispensing phenomenon was most commonly observed for moderate/high dose ICS/LABA, while lower doses of ICS alone were co-dispensed among children. In this cohort, the cost to government of one-off ICS, when co-dispensed with oral antibiotics, was $2.7 million/year.Conclusions: Many people who receive one-off ICS prescriptions do not appear to have airways disease. As indicated by co-prescribing of antibiotics, many people may be inappropriately prescribed ICS for management of respiratory infections. Interventions are required to improve the quality of prescribing of ICS and management of respiratory infections in clinical practice.