Assessment of patient satisfaction with a formulary switch from omeprazole to lansoprazole in gastroesophageal reflux disease maintenance therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if patients perceived a difference in the efficacy, side effects, and value of omeprazole versus lansoprazole for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) maintenance therapy after a formulary conversion, and to evaluate the costs of the conversion.

STUDY DESIGN

An unblinded questionnaire was mailed to patients who were currently receiving GERD maintenance therapy with lansoprazole from the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three hundred patients who had been on omeprazole for a minimum of 2 months prior to the formulary conversion and on lansoprazole for a minimum of 2 months after the formulary conversion were surveyed. Patients were asked to rate the severity and frequency of their symptoms (pain, heartburn, and regurgitation) on a scale from 0 to 9 for each medication. Questions regarding side effects, medication preference, and satisfaction with the formulary conversion process were also addressed.

RESULTS

Fifty-two percent of the surveys were returned. There was no statistically significant difference between median total symptom scores for omeprazole and lansoprazole (1.33 vs. 1.34, respectively). More patients reported side effects to lansoprazole (P < 0.001) than to omeprazole. Sixty-four percent of patients preferred omeprazole (P < 0.005). The formulary conversion was estimated to save $29,000 per year.

CONCLUSIONS

Omeprazole was the medication preferred by patients for GERD maintenance therapy. Patients were willing to pay an additional fee for their preferred agent. Fewer adverse events were reported with omeprazole. The potential cost savings of the formulary conversion may have been at the expense of patient satisfaction.