The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7274 p645
8 November 2003

This page
Reprint
Photocopy

PDF* 95K

  Modernisation
  The Register
  Ramipril
  Needle exchange

Letters to the Editor

Ramipril

Talk to local GPs

From Ms M. L. Perkins, MRPharmS

In response to Andy Clarke’s letter (PJ, 1 November, p612) about Aventis’s decision to switch the formulation of Tritace from capsules to tablets, I think communication is the key. Aventis has written to individual general practitioners and is also telephoning practices to inform them of the change. I would suggest that generic manufacturers would do well to communicate their marketing plans to GPs so that practices are not precipitate in changing their prescribing software.

I work with two GP practices and two different prescribing systems. Neither system will automatically switch patients from ramipril capsules to tablets; this is a practice decision. I am advising my GPs to continue prescribing ramipril capsules and I have communicated this information to my local community pharmacies. If there is a short-term supply problem my practices will issue one-off prescriptions for tablets but patients’ repeat prescriptions will not be changed. I am sure other practice pharmacists will be making similar arrangements. Can I also urge community pharmacists to discuss this issue with their local GPs?

The patient information leaflet produced by Aventis to “explain” the change to patients is the weakest element of its communication campaign; GPs and pharmacists will be left to do the explaining. I see no problem in patients having the option of tablets but, in my experience, ramipril capsules have been generally well tolerated and I agree with Andy Clarke that a switch such as this will cause unnecessary confusion and could have a detrimental effect on patient compliance.

Lesley Perkins
Practice Pharmacist
Dyneley House Surgery & Fisher Medical Centre, Skipton

Send your letter to The Editor

Previous Topic (The Register)
Next Topic (Needle exchange)