A problem with the supply of generic beclomethasone inhalers has been highlighted by a nurse practitioner.
Mrs Sheila Smith, who runs an asthma clinic at Ashlea medical practice in Leatherhead, Surrey, contacted The Journal on August 8 after discovering a computer problem which she believes can result in pharmacists dispensing the wrong type of beclomethasone inhaler.
A number of patients had complained to Mrs Smith that their inhalers had been changed. She found that they had been given Easi-breathe devices on a prescription for beclomethasone breath-activated powder inhaler rather than Clickhalers which had been intended.
Mrs Smith contacted seven pharmacies (independents and multiples) and asked what would be dispensed if a patient presented such a prescription. All but one said they would supply Easi-breathe, which is an aerosol rather than a powder inhaler.
The reason for this was that their pharmacy labelling computers "defaulted" to Easi-breathe when dry powder was typed in. Pharmacists had now contacted the computer companies involved, Mrs Smith added.
Mrs Smith said: "The cost implications of patients being given incorrect inhalers that are then used incorrectly or even discarded are enormous. Patients' respiratory symptoms may also deteriorate, causing stress and discomfort and putting them at risk." She suggested that making inhalers exempt from generic prescribing could help to overcome the problem of patients receiving the wrong inhaler.

Easi-breathe inhalers suppled instead of Clickhalers