Pharmacists help hay fever
November 18, 2011
PHARMACISTS are playing an
increasingly integral role in helping
patients with hay fever, with a new
report from the Australian Institute
of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
finding that spending on hay fever
medications has doubled between
2001 and 2010 from $107.8m to
$226.8m per year.
“Identifying the triggers for hay
fever is often a key to better
managing it, and while pharmacists
can help patients in this regard,
they can also advise on the best
medicines to treat their condition,”
said National President of the
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia,
Grant Kardachi.
“This can include preventive
measures such as advising patients
to take their medicines the night
before forecast high-risk days,”
Kardachi added.
According to AIHW report,
around 3.1 million Australians, or
15% of the population, suffer from
hay fever, making it one of the
most common chronic respiratory
conditions in Australia.
The majority of sufferers are
aged between 25 and 44 years,
whilst those aged between 0-14
and 65-74 are the least likely to
suffer from the condition.
Interestingly, the report also
found that the condition is slightly
more prevalent in women than in
men, and that the ACT and WA
have the highest rates of sufferers,
whilst NSW and Qld have the lowest.
The most popular medications
for treatment of hay fever,
according to the report, are
intranasal corticosteroids (nasal
sprays) and oral antihistamines.
Meanwhile, the report’s authors
attribute the doubling in
medication spending to an increase
in condition treatment, rather than
an increase in sufferers.
In response to these figures the
PSA said that whilst pharmacists
can advise on suitable
antihistamines as well as other
treatment options such as nasal
sprays and eye drops for more
severe cases, they can also provide
more detailed information on how
to best manage their condition
through the PSA Self Care Hay
Fever Fact Card.
“This very informative Fact Card
gives consumers tips and hints as
well as explaining hay fever so
sufferers can fully understand it
and take appropriate steps to
manage it,” Kardachi said.
“Hay fever sufferers should speak
to their pharmacist who will
provide advice and refer them to
their doctor when necessary,” he
added.
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