Pharmacist Asthma Advice

Follow up from our ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ article published 8 April 2014, a summary published this week of the stakeholder forum which was held in November detailed the various views of attendees on the post-market review of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines used to treat asthma in children. Pharmacistshave been identified as a possible alternate source of advice about available asthma medications for patients.

The review is being conducted by the Department of Health, following the Paediatric Medicines Advisory Group’s finding that 40% of children supplied with a fixed dose combination product had not first been prescribed a single ingredient product. The review was recommended to ensure the medicines were being used safely and appropriately and a draft report was due this year, the Department of Health said.  The summary document said pharmacists “could be acknowledged as an alternate and readily accessible source of advice for asthma patients and families on available asthma medications.”

Other views expressed at the forum included that an apparent high use of preventer medications, showed that education  of health professionals and consumers needed to be given high priority, and the challenges associated with this were acknowledged. The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) welcomed the review, and took part in the forum, CEO Kristine Whorlow said.

Pharmacists were an “essential” part of the asthma management team and contributed to the Australian Asthma Handbook, Whorlow said. “Pharmacists are able to provide advice on inhaler technique as well as on the role of asthma medications. “They play an integral part in asthma management.”

NAC was concerned about reports of inappropriate prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and ICS/long-acting beta agonist combination inhalers for children, which should only be used for the 5% of children with persistent asthma, and NAC wanted asthma to be managed according to the latest edition of the Asthma Handbook, she said. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia said it was always keen to see a recognition and utilisation of the skills and expertise of pharmacists.

Progressing targeted services would require appropriate funding and so a commitment from a body such as the Government, a spokesman said.

Click here to read the summary.

Learn more about asthma by completing the education module below.

Source: pharmacydaily.com.au, Wednesday 7 May 2014