{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.01887640449438202, 'fraction_numerical': 0.013932584269662922, 'mean_word_length': 4.8578947368421055, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Literature summaries of the latest developments in pharmacy practice and therapeutics

Salamol vs Ventolin PHARMAC (New Zealand drug funding agency) have created a stir with one of their latest decisions of changing the sole fully subsidised brand of salbutamol inhaler from Ventolin to Salamol. The only reason for this change was the estimated cost savings of less than NZ$2 million over 16 months. Backlash from the medical profession has caused PHARMAC to reconsider its decision and continue to make both brands available to the public. However, a $2 surcharge per inhaler exists for those wishing to continue with Ventolin. The issues that have been raised are clogging of inhalers, palatability, dexterity (Salamol inhaler is smaller) and added anxiety leading to increased severity of attacks. It has also been suggested that the alcohol present in Salamol is in sufficient quantity to fail a traffic alcohol screening test. The situation has been complicated by the fact that Salamol is distributed in New Zealand by a subsidiary of the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand who stands to gain financially from the change to Salamol. PHARMAC have responded by agreeing that the change to Salamol should have been accompanied by a better education campaign. They have stated that all CFC-free inhalers are prone to clogging and need regular washing. This information is included in product information for both Ventolin and Flixotide and additional counselling is required on the part of pharmacists. The amount of alcohol in each dose of Salamol is in the 1000ths/mL and claims that inhaling micrograms of alcohol will affect an adult’s driving ability have been refuted by the police. Salamol is stated to be bioequivalent to Ventolin but Medsafe have asked both the Environmental Science Research and the Therapeutic Goods Administration to investigate this further. Salamol has a considerable proportion of the UK market share and is expected to grow in New Zealand. It has been left with the manufacturer to consider reducing the price of Ventolin and thereby remove the $2 surcharge required for each inhaler. (Gillies J, et al. N Z Med J 2005; 118(1220). Metcalfe S, et al. N Z Med J 2005; 118(1221).)