Guild Hails Allergy Strategy

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has welcomed the release of the National Allergy Strategy, the first comprehensive Australian initiative aiming to improve the assessment and treatment of allergic diseases which affect more than four million or almost 20% of the population.  As the fastest growing chronic disease and public health issue in Australia, allergic diseases can range from food, insect and drug allergies (including anaphylaxis) through to asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and eczema, said the Guild.

Pharmacy can play a key role in allergy treatment, especially in the shared care model of practice, highlighting the importance of improved communication between pharmacists, GPs and clinical immunology/allergy  specialists.  The strategy states that the “services of dietitians, pharmacists and psychologists in particular, are often required to optimally manage allergic diseases” and emphasises the need to promote referral to allied health professionals
with expertise in allergy, such as pharmacists, who provide self care and quality use of medicines advice.

The National Allergy Strategy was developed by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA), in collaboration with key stakeholders. Click here to access the strategy document.

Source: pharmacydaily.com.au, Monday 10 August 2015