Trends in the use of inhaled corticosteroids for childhood asthma in New Zealand

Objective. To compare the dispensed volumes and prescribed doses for inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for children in New Zealand. Design. Longitudinal analysis of prescribing trends using the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Research Unit database and the Pharm Warehouse database of the New Zealand Health Information System. Setting. New Zealand from 1993 to 2001. Subjects. Children aged 0-5 years and 6-17 years. Main outcome measures. The ratio of potency-adjusted mean daily dose of fluticasone propionate (FP) to beclomethasone (BDP) and dispensed volumes of FP, BDP and budesonide . Results. The ratio of potency-adjusted mean daily dose of FP to BDP prescribed to children aged 0-17 years ranged from 1.22 to 1.91. With the introduction of FP, the total amount of ICS dispensed to children aged 0-5 years in New Zealand nearly doubled, when adjusted for potency. Conclusions. The introduction of FP into New Zealand corresponds with an increase in the total amount of ICS dispensed and an increase in the adjusted daily dose prescribed.