Pharmacy Daily | Call for greater asthma role

THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia marked World Asthma Day yesterday by calling on states and territories across the nation to allow community pharmacists to provide more treatment and support for people with the condition.

"Community pharmacists support those with asthma from their very first prescription when they share the proper inhalation technique and help with medication reviews," said Guild National President Professor Trent Twomey.

"In Queensland, and soon in the Northern Territory, community pharmacists can also provide asthma management plans, support patients to adjust their doses and make sure their asthma remains under control.

"Community pharmacists can - and must - play a bigger role in supporting those with asthma.

"State and territory governments need to unlock the healthcare potential of community pharmacy."

Asthma Australia CEO Kate Miranda pointed out that asthma is a chronic condition affecting nearly 2.8 million children and adults in Australia.

"With the right management, people with asthma can control their condition," she said, noting that includes regular check-ups at the GP and working with their community pharmacist to help keep symptoms under control.

"In particular, we want to see a focus on the smarter use of oral steroids, to ensure complications and side effects are minimised," Miranda said.

"The lifetime toxic threshold for oral steroids is 1000mg, equivalent to just four standard doses.

"The more oral steroids you have had, the more likely you are to experience some side effects."

Miranda pointed out that with good asthma management, patients can prevent future asthma flare-ups and reduce reliance on oral steroids.

"One in nine Australians have asthma; more than 31,000 were hospitalised with the condition in 2022-23, with 474 people dying from asthma in 2023," she said.

"Good asthma management and prevention need to be prioritised urgently to help turn these numbers around," Miranda concluded. KB