The survey showed that 69 percent had been asked to switch medication in the previous 12 months. Yet, only 15 per cent of those changes were medically necessary. The analysis, which included 116 cooperatively delivered services, found that slightly more than half of the changes were ordered by health insurers trying to steer customers towards cheaper services: 29 per cent of total cases.

More worryingly, pharmacists did not explain the change in 21% of cases.

The situation is all the more grave because changing a medication can bring disaster to lung patients. Other brands or constituents might produce such things as dyspnea and worsening of lung function.

Many patients only respond well to particular brands, and needlessly changing can result in hospital admissions and distress.

Agreements Ignored Despite Clear Guidelines
Two years ago in September, healthcare groups that included pharmacists, insurers and doctors agreed to discourage unnecessary medication switches. The contract stipulates that lung patients should switch to cheaper medication just once every four years.



However, there is no practical implementation of this agreement. In the meantime, profit-first health insurers are insisting on the cheapest available drug each year, and so polymorph changes are made to comply with condition associations. Pharmacists often feel forced to follow insurer policies, even if they are not in the best interest o.