Intervention to reduce unnecessary dispensing of short-acting {beta}-agonists in patients with asthma.

Background: Several clinical studies have suggested that the overuse of short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) and the underuse of inhaled corticosteroids are prevalent and may compromise patient health and increase the use of scarce health-care resources.

Objective: To examine the impact of an intervention designed to reduce SABA metered-dose inhaler (MDI) overdispensing on asthma-related drug and healthcare utilization endpoints in a mail order pharmacy benefit population.

Methods: Retrospective pre- and postintervention analysis was conducted on all new SABA prescriptions indicating a quantity more than 1 SABA MDI per month and on asthma patients who were continuously enrolled in the Medco Health Solutions prescription benefit program from July 1, 2006, to June, 30, 2007 (preintervention), and July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008 (postintervention).