PHARMACISTS are being urged to brace for a spike in asthma flare-ups ahead of the new school years, with hazardous air quality adding to traditional factors that trigger symptoms of the condition.
National Asthma Council CEO, Siobhan Brophy, called on pharmacists to be help children with asthma prepare for going back to school next month.
"'Pharmacists can help get children asthma-ready for school by asking parents about their child's asthma control experience during poor air quality days and whether their child has an up to date as asthma plan and puffer," she said.
"This year's added factors of smoke and hazardous air quality from fires, coupled with high emotions such as stress and anxiety, are likely to trigger asthma symptoms."
Brophy said pharmacists had a key role in supporting parents and children with asthma, and encouraged them to discuss asthma management with patients when they present in store for any reason.
She added that pharmacists could assess whether patients have the appropriate inhaler technique, and that they use their preventer medications as recommended.
Pharmacists can refer patients wanting more information to the Asthma Council's Sensitive Choice program's factsheets on back to school and other issues.
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