Abstract
Background
The consent of community pharmacists is an important factor for the successful implementation of Rx-to-OTC switches but is not part of the official reclassification procedure in Germany.
Objective
The aim was to identify potential switch candidates and indications in addition to a basic assessment of new switches in Germany.
Setting
The survey was distributed via the online survey tool of the pharmaceutical journal “Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung” within the period from 20 September to 8 October 2017.
Methods
The survey comprised 17 questions. Besides some basic parameters, the questionnaire included a list of proposals for new switch candidates, a vote on the general support as well as economic and health professional expectations regarding further switches.
Main outcome measure
The highest consent scores were obtained for second-generation antihistamines for treatment of hay fever such as desloratadine, fexofenadine and levocetirizine.
Results
Nine hundred forty pharmacy employees participated in the survey. Beside second-generation antihistamines, there are further preferred switches for nasal glucocorticoids, proton pump inhibitors, ocular antibiotics and emergency kits for acute dyspnoea.
Conclusion
Pharmacists strongly welcome further switches. This leads to high acceptance rates, especially for a switch of desloratadine, as this was the most named active ingredient possible for a switch within the survey.
Impact of findings on practice statements
The outcome of this survey can support pharmaceutical companies in decision-making about which active substances they should submit a switch application for. Additionally, this helps fulfil patient needs, because pharmacists know best what is beneficial for patient self-care. In addition, all other actors involved in this process can see what is required and can rethink their position regarding further switches.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Funding
This survey has been financed by the German Medicines Manufacturers' Association (BAH) by a grant of 20,149 € (net).
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Design, evaluation of results and writing of the paper were done in a cooperation between BAH and University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern. All three authors were involved.
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Andrea Stippler, Elmar Kroth and Niels Eckstein declare that the design, evaluation and writing were independent from funding.
Elmar Kroth is a member (not entitled to vote) of the Expert Advisory Committee for Pharmacy-Only Issues in Germany and Managing Director Scientific Affairs at BAH. Niels Eckstein is a professor at the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern. Andrea Stippler is studying applied pharmacy at the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern and is doing an internship at BAH.
Other than the above-mentioned conflicts, Andrea Stippler, Elmar Kroth and Niels Eckstein declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Stippler, A., Eckstein, N. & Kroth, E. To switch or not to switch—first Germany-wide study from the perspective of pharmacists in the European environment. J Public Health (Berl.) 29, 9–17 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01101-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01101-4